Pua Kumbu Sarawak

Weaving a Pua Kumbu

Pua Kumbu

Pua kumbu is a traditional tribal textile woven in longhouses by the women of Borneo. They have great value, playing an important role in tribal culture. Throughout the world, weavers create patterns reflecting their cultural background and influences from their surroundings, but unique to the Iban is the impact that dreams have in the creation of pua kumbu. Each unique pua design is created from a vast repertoire of individual motifs whose meanings are combined to produce patterns and stories of ritual and spiritual power. Traditionally, the weaving goddess Kumang gives the designs and patterns to the weaver through dreams. Pua kumbu are known as Woven Dreams! Typically lots of symbolic elements are included in the design. Many are woven to play a specific role in celebrations and ritual ceremonies. In the old days heads were wrapped in certain pua. Master weavers were held in great esteem and only they were allowed to use certin powerful motifs.

Pua are traditionally woven of cotton on backstrap looms. The warp is dyed after areas to remain undyed are isolated using tight wrapping with cord and cloth. Many sessions are required depending on the number of colors used. The Dye composition and technique is closely guarded. Only natural dyes from vegetable or fruits are used. Please do not let this pua have any contact with water because it will ruin the colors permanently.
This piece of table cloth can also be used as covering a sofa or to be hang on the wall as a beautiful decor. Extra care while washing and is best not to soak in water as the organic dyed threads color will run. This beautiful piece is woven by hand and GREAT for use as a bed runner or dining table centre-piece. Own a beautiful piece now and display the beauty of Borneo in your home!

No hassle to go to Sarawak as you may buy online. For the size of approximately 33 X 23 inches, is only cost you RM25.00 (1 unit). The price is including packaging and postal (poslaju; within Malaysia). I will send my bank account number once received your order. Once you bank in the money, I will deliver your order by poslaju on the next day.




Ordering Form

Name:
Email Address:
Telephone Number:
Mailing Address
Item Order (Terubuk Masin Sarawak, Bario Rice; Pua Kumbu Sarawak, etc)
Total Unit Order
Total RM
Remarks (size, weight, etc)

This form powered by Freedback