Hig'i Wo Happi, Man's Ceremonial Hip Cloth from Savu

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. This unusual textile, called a Hig'i Wohepi is worn by the Deo Rai who is one of the seven high priests that officiates all ceremonies on Savu. Hig’i translates as blanket and wo means ikat pattern and happi refers to the white pattern area on the textile. Patterns that are intentionally left white on a textile generally denote high rank as it requires a high level of skill to maintain a white area throughout the dye process.

Warp ikat, single panel, commercial cotton, natural dyes
Made in Sabu, 2017.
198 x 79 cm / 78 x 31in
T02.SB.HM.614

Dry cleaning recommended or hand wash in mild soap and lay flat to dry.