Traditional Ceremonial Skirt From Sumba, Lau Hadang, Indonesia, 1950–1980

Traditional ceremonial skirt from Sumba – Lau Hadang (Lau Hada)

This is a traditional tubular ceremonial skirt (Lau) from the island of Sumba (East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia), adorned with glass beads and genuine Nassa shells.

Characteristics and symbolism:

Traditional form: The Lau is a tubular garment worn by high-ranking women during traditional ceremonies and rituals (arapu).

Technique: Complex embroidery made with Nassa (Nassarius) shells and colored glass beads on a dark cotton background.

First image: Depicts an anthropomorphic figure / ancestral spirit (Marapu) with raised arms, surrounded by birds, lizards/geckos, and a lobster or fish at the base.

Second image: Depicts a large, undulating mythological creature (snake or dragon / Naga), accompanied by a bird, a lizard, and a fish.

In Sumba culture, these motifs (lizards, dragons, and sea creatures) symbolize rebirth, transformation, fertility, and the protection of the ancestors.

Period: 1950–1980

Dimensions: 118 cm x 56 cm