A visual symphony of precision and heritage, the “Chess of the Ancestors” Raffia Pillow presents one of the most intellectually charged motifs of Kuba textile culture: the gridded ikula pattern. Each lozenge-shaped form encloses a carefully balanced checkerboard—a motif deeply rooted in Kuba symbolism, reflecting the ideals of wisdom, strategic vision, and continuity across generations.

Handwoven in the heart of the Kuba Kingdom—now within the Democratic Republic of Congo—this pillow is crafted from raffia palm fibers, a material both resilient and sacred in Kuba tradition. Kuba men first create the tightly woven base using narrow-strip looms, after which Kuba women—often esteemed for their embroidery lineage—hand-stitch the intricate surface designs using a centuries-old technique passed down through royal and noble clans.

The alternating dark and light checkered centers, framed by warm sienna, ivory, and charcoal tones, evoke the interplay between light and shadow, knowledge and mystery. This textile speaks of dualities—masculine and feminine, life and afterlife, physical and spiritual realms—that permeate Kuba cosmology. The repeated rhythm of the diamonds creates a structured yet pulsating aesthetic, mirroring the Kuba people's affinity for dynamic balance and ritual complexity.

Historically, such textiles were never purely ornamental. They were used as currency, gifted in royal ceremonies, and buried with the dead to accompany their spiritual journey. The ikula motif, in particular, was associated with rank and reverence, its design understood only by those initiated into the deeper meanings of Kuba visual language.

Now brought into the present through NOA Living’s curated lens, this rare textile has been thoughtfully transformed into a decorative pillow—maintaining its cultural integrity while offering a timeless accent for collectors and designers alike. Its striking geometric clarity makes it ideal for both modernist and eclectic interiors, imbuing any space with history, elegance, and quiet power.