Sekomandi Ceremonial Hanging Textile from Sulawesi

Warp ikat, two panels stitched together, open fringes, commercial cotton, natural dyes.
Made in Mamuju, Sulawesi, 2017.
208 x 130 cm / 82 x 51 in
T02.SW.BL.100

The sekomandi textile is made of two ikat panels which are woven on a backstrap loom and sewn together as a wide single textile. Sekomandi textiles are used to decorate the traditional houses during ceremonies as a sign that the entire ritual cycle had been performed. The central motif lelen sepu refers to connectedness. It is compared to using a string to join beads so they do not come apart – to gather the family and maintain a harmonious connection.

Dry clean recommended