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Lau Pahudu Hada
Ceremonial Tubular Skirt (2010)

• Warp motif by Ana Hamu
• Tied by Ranja Rudung
• Dyed by Ina Jilik
• Woven by Hawu Rimu
• Rindi, Sumba
• Warp ikat, supplementary warp patterning with beading
• Commercial cotton, natural dyes
• 63 cm x 151 cm (25 in x 59 in)
• Code # T01.SU.RE.160

Even traditional artforms with long, stable traditions have never been completely static. Styles and influences have come and gone from traditional arts throughout their history; artists in ancient times innovated within traditional styles just as modern artists continue to do today.

This piece is the result of an innovative combination of styles, resulting from the marriage of a pricess of Pau into the royal family of Rindi, in East Sumba. The supplementary warp patterning technique is called pahikung, and was developed to this level in Pau; the particular style and motifs in the ikat sections come from Rindi’s royal heritage.

The dominant motif on this piece-karihu, the seashell-was once the exclusive domain of the Rindi royal family. The addition of beads and the use of four colors-black, blue, white, and red-would also have restricted this piece to a wearer of the highest nobility.