Woven from palm fibres by the people of the Bakuba kingdom (in present day Democratic Republic of Congo) along River Kasai. It was traditionally used for costumes and mats. Also woven into squares to be used as kneeling mats for royalty. Another form is used as long banners, court backdrops or worn by royalty or royal dancers.The patterns in the cloth inspired early 20th century artists such as Matisse and Picasso.