The Toraja live on the Island of Sulawesi in Indonesia. The Toraja have developed a technique of direct wood block printing which they combine with painting to produce these highly individual cloths.

Textile traded from India are considered sacred heirlooms in parts of Indonesia. Inspired by Indian design and production techniques, the Toraga have created painted and block printed cloths to complement and replace their precious Indian pieces. This cloth features a central tree, an ancient symbol of fertility and regeneration, at the base of which is a village scene depicting villages, houses, chickens and buffalo.

Cloths like this were used to sanctify important rituals surrounding birth, death and fertility. This mawa shows the influence of Indian design, many painted cottons imported from India were also accorded the status of mawa.

Plain cotton ground, undyed, painted design showing resting birds in tall, central tree. Centrefield is dominated by large heart shaped leaves of swirling fruit bearing vine which curls around the tree. Below is typical village scene, houses, chicken, buffalo, men collecting fruit, women pounding fruit from on of two smaller trees at the bottom of the picture. The whole is boardered by small concentric circles. Initials 'M T' and 'L D' are drawn in pen at one end.
Textile, ceremonial, hand painted/printed/stamped, cotton, tree of life design in black and red/brown, surrounded by pink border with black concentric circles, sacred cloth or 'mawa' made by the Toraja people, Celebes, c. 1900-1920 (OF).

Made: Toraja people; Sulawesi; 1900 - 1920


Used: Toraja people; Sulawesi

A10994

1900 - 1920

850 mm

3185 mm