Tewuni Rai Savu - Man hipcloth (selimut) hi’i worapi, huri wopidu
Description:
Hi’i worapi means that the cloth underwent two dye processes. Huri wopidu means that the hipcloth has seven bands of main motifs. Worapi refers to the dye process; between both dye processes some of threads already d yed are tied (ikat) so that they won’t receive the second dye bath while others which were ikated are opened for the next dye process. The threads which never were ikated received both types of dye: indigo and morinda which creates one more colour: maroon. The worapi technique is thus time consuming. The main motifs taga batu and boda are worn by men. Taga batu (reminding of a zig zag) refers to the beams supporting the roof at both ends of the house. This motif is known in other parts of the island as kekama haba, a carving seen on the handle of the lontar basket carried by men. In both cases the motif refers to male activities: the building of houses and the tapping the sap of the lontar tree. The motif boda is a typical motif seen on hipcloths worn by men of the Greater Blossom group in the districts of Seba and Mesara.
One of the selimut with thses motifs has alrady been sold.
Ikat, dye and Weaving process: Lena Jami.
Moiety: Greater Blossom (hubi ae)
Maternal lineage: wini Ga Lena
Main motifs: taga batu and boda
Materials: Natural dyes: indigo (nila), morinda (mengkudu), curcuma (kunyit) commercial cotton (benang katun), morinda (mengkudu), curcuma (kunyit)
Dimensions: L 158 cm (warp), l 78 cm (weft)
Color: Blue, red and white