Divine Wisdom

The sekomandi textile maybe made as two ikat panels sewn together as a wide single textile. Often there are two additional narrow panels sewn on to either side.These side panels are called lete. Sekomandi textiles are used to decorate the traditional houses during ceremonies as a sign that the entire ritual cycle had been performed such as weddings. The primary motif on this textiles is called ulu karua refers to the eight traditional leaders who have specific roles and responsibilities for the well being of their community. According to legend, an ancestor was meditating in a cave when he saw an old tattered cloth containing these motifs. He brought this cloth back to his community and the motifs on the cloth were woven once again.

A cloth like this Sekomandi from Sulawesi will take up to six months to complete with a single woman overseeing all aspects of the work, tying motifs onto threads from memory, dying the threads and weaving. All while she continues to take care of her family and work in the fields to bring home food. The sale of these textiles represents a significant source of income for these weavers.

Information about the makers will be supplied with each cloth.
Warp ikat, two panels stitched together, open fringes, commercial cotton, natural dyes. Ikat tied, dyed and woven in Mamuju, Sulawesi, 2024. Size 212 x 125 cm / 83.5 x 49 in