This ceremonial skirt, known as ‘tapis’, features two broad bands of embroidered ship designs with human figures between ‘warp ikat’ panels. The ship motif on Lampung textiles symbolises organised communities and represents the change in life stage at transition rites such as initiation into adulthood, weddings and funerals. Tapis were considered symbols of prestige and wealth for the wearer. They used to be worn during ceremonies of the life-cycle such as initiation and death, although in recent times it is usually worn during weddings.
