Precious heritage from Sikka

Wed, May 31, 2017 / 02:13 pm

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Sikka women can weave beautiful ikat cloth, enhancing them with colorful motifs even without a manual. This blue-white strip featuring a gecko motif in the making is the most popular motif of Sikka’s ikat cloths. JP/Intan Tanjung
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Not all women can participate in the coloring process. This process is forbidden for those menstruating, as the people believe that the color will turn out differently. The rule is still in place. JP/Intan Tanjung
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It is unbelievable how nature can provide such enchanting colors. Placed in a wooden box and coconut shells, these different natural colors are ready to give new life to the bleak white threads. In the Bliran Sinna community, the coloring part is separated from the other processes as it produces an unpleasant scent. JP/Intan Tanjung
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To produce a blue color, they use indigo leaves and soak the threads for three days, before transferring the cloth to the drying process. The process is repeated three times to get the desired result. JP/Intan Tanjung
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Made from indigo leaves, this white powder will produce natural navy blue dye to color the cloths. JP/Intan Tanjung
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Cotton is important in making the traditional ikat cloth, and Flores people usually use cotton grown in the region. JP/Intan Tanjung
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Turmeric is also used as another coloring agent, producing the color yellow that commonly enhances the look of many ikat cloths. JP/Intan Tanjung
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Processing cotton using a simple manual wooden machine. JP/Intan Tanjung
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With a simple, manual machine, Sikka women turn cotton into thread. JP/Intan Tanjung
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Ingredients for coloring process are readied. JP/Intan Tanjung
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Sikka women show sacred traditional ikat cloths displayed during the exhibition. JP/Intan Tanjung
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A Sikka woman points to one of the sacred symbols in the traditional ikat cloths. The motif represents women’s fertility. JP/Intan Tanjung

During a hot afternoon, a group of women from Sikka regency, Flores, showcased their expertise in making traditional ikat (woven) fabric in Maumere, Flores, East Nusa Tenggara. The stall was a part of cultural exhibition held to celebrate the first international bicycle race inFlores.

These women are members of Bliran Sina group from Watublopi village in Sikka regency. They sat together to demonstrate the process of making traditional ikat cloth to visitors of the exhibition.

Behind them were the fruits of their labor; colorful traditional ikat cloth hung beautifully, captivating those admiring the intricate details. In Sikka region, each family must produce their own ikat cloth. The role usually is given to women. The women carry on weaving while completing other household tasks such as feeding their children or cleaning.

Weaving is a skill every woman should master. Sikka women learn to weave at a young age, usually around 10 years old. The young girls start by learning how to spin cotton. One or two years later, they learn to weave cloth and gradually learn difficult motifs as they grow older.

When they wed, Sikka women must present their ikat cloth as proof of their ability to take care of their family. The cloth presented in the wedding usually features sacred symbols. This precious heritage is usually handed down to later generations. [yan]