Komo Tribe Cache Sex or Apron

This unusual apron or cache sex comes from the Congo. It is three narrow panels of barkcloth stitched together with fibre then gathered in the middle by threading several consecutive rows of wide fibre through the barkcloth and then pushing the cloth together on the wide fibre strips to create the bunched/pleated effect. The cloth was then folded over to create a double layer. A fibre string must have then been strung under the fold to hold it in place. This piece appears to never have been worn.