This large conical sun hat patterned with pigments and geometric designs is worn by the Dayak of Kuching as protection against the tropical sun and rain. It is made by overlapping layers of fan-palm leaves woven together and held in shape by a rattan ring around the rim. Sun hat also known as 'sa'ong' comes in a wide variety of types and styles as well as intricate indigenous designs and motifs. The rich tropical forests of Borneo provide many different kinds of materials to be used to weave these hats including plaited bamboo, grasses, vast array of palm, leaves and creepers. This hat belongs to a selection of fibre work bought from Archdeacon Arthur Frederick Sharp (1866–1960), an influential Anglican missionary in Southeast Asia in 1903. As the Archdeacon of St. Thomas’ Cathedral in Sarawak, he was often given gifts in gratitude from the local community.The Dayak are the largest non-Muslim community on the island of Borneo, with a highly diverse population.
