Authentic / Genuine / beautiful Kuba Style belt

These types of belts, known as nkody mu-ikup belts, are worn by women on the occasion of festivals, such as the dance itul, when important moments in the history of the Kuba people are celebrated and persons are elevated to the rank of “notables” or chieftaincies. This belt is decorated with cowrie shells laid out in three rows of equal length on either side of a central section in which the design of a square knot appears in green and white beads. This decorative feature is worn at the back of the dancer; the belt is tied in front by strands of fiber or leather Kuba people belt (mukody mu-ikup lakiing). Congo. First half 20th century. a wonderful tribal art example made of raffia, cowry shells and glass beads. These objects were worn in ceremonial and funerary contexts by title-holding individuals. The belts are adorned with geometrically patterned rows of colored glass beads and cowries on woven raffia, representing the wealth and position of the owner.