Dreaming of Morinda

Puak Kumbuk or Pua Kumbu refers to a large blanket made with red dye (Morinda citrifolia). It is used as a decorative hanging during harvest ceremonies called Gawaii where it may be hung or used as the blanket upon which offerings are placed for the ancestors. The mordanting process to achieve the red colour requires many different plants from the forest and is still performed with a ritual. A puak may be used to cover a person who is ill during a healing with a traditional doctor.

The motif on this textile is called Tandan uwi, meaning stem of a rattan. The Dayak textiles have been highly regarded for their unique designs, many of which are from dreams, meaning the ancestors are giving them permission to weave the motifs.

Information about the makers will be supplied with each cloth.
Warp ikat, commercial cotton, two panels sewn together to make a blanket, twisted fringe, natural dyes. Ikat, tied, dyed and woven in Sintang, Kalimantan, 2024. Size 203 x 87 cm / 80 x 34.5 in