Loincloth

ClassificationsClothing and Adornments-pubic covers

Date20th Century

Made AtCôte d'Ivoire, Africa

MediumRaffia and dye

DimensionsFlexible: 42 × 26 in. (106.7 × 66 cm)

Credit LineAnonymous Gift

Object number2021.7.23

DescriptionOriginating in Côte d'Ivoire, this object is a hand woven raffia fiber loincloth made and worn by Dida women as a special occasion garment. They were bound in the back with the help of a waistband, drawn forward through the legs, and hung over the waistband so that the fringe covered the lower front part of the body.

Men and women both wore these garments at social events as an indicator of their wealth and social position. Since the 1960s, Dida cloths have been worn less and less, and are kept as souvenirs or styled as loose panels hanging from the waist. The local government encourages Dida people to wear their traditional attire during state visits.

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