Title
Ceremonial cloth
Year/Period
Late 19th-early 20th century
Region
Sumba
Dimension
Object size: L138.3 x W59.8 cm (Without Tass
Accession No.
1997-04238
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Andy Ng
The imagery of this ceremonial cloth depicts crocodiles, which are believed by the Sumbanese to be protectors of the rice crop. Hence they were held in high reverence in traditional times. The borders on these cloths were thought to be necessary to in order to contain its power. This ceremonial cloth was patterned using the ‘warp ikat’ technique, where the vertical threads are tied-and-dyed before the fabric is woven. Such cloth served as hangings during ceremonies, such as funerals and initiations, and were thought to invoke blessings from the gods. It is believed that these ceremonial cloths were injected with supernatural power and became avenues for communication with supernatural beings.
