Symbol of Grace

The culture of Savu and Rai Jua places great weight on ancestry, birthplace and community life. The local traditional religion, Jingi Tiu, requires all villagers to participate in rituals and ceremonies. Savunese ceremonial dress for women falls into three main categories ei raja, ei ledo, ei worapi. The third category, to which this piece belongs. is called ei worapi. These pieces combine elements of both ei raja and ei ledo.

The motifs of ei worapi can be changed or invented at will, and may be dyed in three colors instead of two. The ikat bands near the head and foot render ei worapi ritually neutral. The ei worapi may have been invented with the arrival of Christianity it places all women on equal footing. The ikat motif on this textile is called Labba refers to the regal head ornament or crown worn by a king.

This textile would be striking as a wall hanging or draped over a bed or chair.

Information about the makers will be supplied with each cloth.
Warp ikat, two panels stitched together, commercial cotton, natural dyes. Ikat tied, dyed, woven in Sabu, 2019. Size 150 x 53 cm / 59 x 21 in