Protecting a Newborn Child

The ikat motif on this textile is called aju ae, literally big tree, and refers to species such as wega (ficus sp.), kepeka (sterculia foetida) and mediri (syzygium sp.). Acording to Savunese tradition, the placenta of a new born baby is hung in a tree of one of these species. The placenta is kept in a lontar palm basket called a ketodo.

The culture of Savu and Rai Jua places great weight on ancestry, birthplace, and community life. The local traditional religion, called Jingi Tiu, requires every member of the village to participate in rituals and ceremonies. Savunese women’s ceremonial dress is definied by the two major lineages Hubi Iki (Lesser Flower Blossom) and Hubi Ae (Greater Flower Blossom).

The people of Savu have four primary textiles; the ei ledo, ei raja, ei worapi and ei womedi. The ei ledo textile is worn by the the Hubi Iki (Lesser Flower Blossom) and ei raja textile is worn by the Hubi Ae (Greater Flower Blossom). The ei womedi is a primarily dark indigo blue colour. Medi means black. This is an important color for traditional communities as it relates to fertility and the womb where life begins.

Information about the makers will be supplied with each cloth.

Warp ikat, two panels stiched together and sewn as a tube, commercial cotton, natural dyes. Ikat,Tied, dyed and woven in Sabu, 2017. Size 166 x 60 cm / 65.5 x 23.5 in