This remarkable ikat from Sumba, Indonesia is a woven narrative telling the story of the burial of King Honda Rangga and Queen Rau Patuala. The fabric’s intricate patterns in natural dye indigo capture the solemnity and unity of the funeral parade, where people join hands and march together symbolizing collective respect. Each animal depicted on the cloth carries a specific meaning. The horse serves as the spiritual vehicle, carrying the souls of the Royals to the afterlife. The buffalo represents provision, transporting supplies needed for the journey beyond. The crocodile & the turtle are allusions to the King and Queen themselves. In Sumbanese tradition, naming the deceased directly is avoided out of respect. These animals respectfully honor their memory.
This fabric is the result of months of dedicated work by skilled women weavers. The detail and precision reflect technical mastery and a deep connection to ancestral stories and rituals. The weavers have paired this ikat with two meaningful verses. Pai kilikukur means to parade around like a coiled eel evoking the image of the community moving in unity around the tomb in a protective and ceremonial motion. Tuna wiliwunjilu means "heaven and earth being under one creator”, a verse that refers to humanity and nature being under a divine order that connects all things.
Soft to the touch and powerful in its storytelling, this ikat is a testament to Sumbanese culture. It invites us to reflect on the ways textiles can carry memory, honor the departed and celebrate the bonds between people and the world beyond.
This remarkable ikat from Sumba, Indonesia is a woven narrative telling the story of the burial of King Honda Rangga and Queen Rau Patuala. The fabric’s intricate patterns in natural dye indigo capture the solemnity and unity of the funeral parade, where people join hands and march together symbolizing collective respect. Each animal depicted on the cloth carries a specific meaning. The horse serves as the spiritual vehicle, carrying the souls of the Royals to the afterlife. The buffalo represents provision, transporting supplies needed for the journey beyond. The crocodile & the turtle are allusions to the King and Queen themselves. In Sumbanese tradition, naming the deceased directly is avoided out of respect. These animals respectfully honor their memory.
This fabric is the result of months of dedicated work by skilled women weavers. The detail and precision reflect technical mastery and a deep connection to ancestral stories and rituals. The weavers have paired this ikat with two meaningful verses. Pai kilikukur means to parade around like a coiled eel evoking the image of the community moving in unity around the tomb in a protective and ceremonial motion. Tuna wiliwunjilu means "heaven and earth being under one creator”, a verse that refers to humanity and nature being under a divine order that connects all things.
Soft to the touch and powerful in its storytelling, this ikat is a testament to Sumbanese culture. It invites us to reflect on the ways textiles can carry memory, honor the departed and celebrate the bonds between people and the world beyond.
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