Title
Tail mat
Year/Period
Late 19th-early 20th centuries
Region
Probably Kayan or Kenyah Dayak, Sarawak, Malaysia
Object Type
Material
Technique
Dimension
Object size: 44 x 26 cm
Accession No.
AA-0006
Collection of
This 'tail mat' made of woven fibre belonged to either the Kayan or the Kenyah Dayak. Both cultures are very similar as they live in close proximity. Tail mats form part of the costume of many highland tribes. They were made of skins of animals or of rattan, plaited in patterns of black and yellow. These mats served as portable camp chairs permanently attached to the wearer to protect him from contact with the ground when he squats.
