Ah, the Kuba Cloth.
What comes to mind when you hear ‘Kuba’? All that circulates in my mind is the ‘exotic’, ‘fine weave’, or ‘tropical’. But you see, anything created from the Garden of Eden, - Africa; is a masterpiece of art and craftsmanship passed down for generations... the identity of a people.
Tonga baskets are woven by the women of Zambia's Southern Province, who are well-known for their basket weaving skills. The baskets have a unique look owing to their square bottom and geometric shape that is unlike other traditional African Baskets.
Binga is a basket-making settlement in the far northern Binga region, home to the displaced baTonga people. The art and design industry has discovered a global market for Tonga baskets, providing much-needed revenue. The weavers' cultural values are represented by the variety of baskets with designs inspired by nature.
Juju hats are worn by the Bamileke people of Cameroon to signify wealth and are regarded as avian enchantments. The eight men known as the Mkem – hereditary authorities - wear the most elaborate Juju hats. Mkem and royalty wear them together with animal masks, which are used by Fon – tribal chieftains. It is thought that the king has supernatural abilities, allowing him to shape shift into an animal, therefore they use elephant and leopard masks.
Juju hats aren't only for hanging on the wall to decorate or brighten up a space; there's a fascinating backstory behind them. They are a Cameroonian headgear that symbolizes royalty and leadership, these hats take days to make by hand and are made of woven grass and feathers.
