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Ei Worapi
Woman`s Tubular Sarong (2009)

• Tied, dyed, and woven by Getreda Kana Koy
• Ledeunu, Raijua
• Warp ikat
• Cotton, natural dyes
• 59 cm x 158 cm (23 in x 62 in)
• Code # T01.RJ.LD.040

Unlike the ei raja and ei ledo textiles of Savu and Raijua, ei worapi textiles are ritually neutral. Ei raja are worn only by women of the hubi ae or ’’greater blosson’’ lineage, while ei ledo are worn by women of the hubi iki or ’’lesser blossom.’’ But ei worapi may be freely worn by anyone, regardless of their descent group.

Ei worapi motifs draw heavily on European influence, which arrived with Christian missionaries in the 19th century. These flowing vegetal forms are quite unlike the geometric clan motifs that dominate ei raja and ei ledo. It is possible that ei worapi were actually developed when Christianity was introduced, as a way for women to step away from the rigid clan structure and the Jingi Tiu traditional religion. Ei worapi motifs may also include as many as three or four colors, while the other types are limited to two.