Skirt Item Number: Ei33 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Rectangular black skirt made of hand-woven fabric of heavy textured cotton. Two plain red bands outlined in gold stripe run lengthwise, one at each side of the border. The widthwise border at one end is woven in a band of stripes using yellow, red and blue which outline a lozenge and checkered motifs.

History Of Use

In spite of the gradual expansion of mill-made textiles throughout the tribal areas of Tripura, every Chakma woman has her own portable loin (back strap) loom which she carries to the fields with her or uses in her household everyday. She who weaves best is held in high esteem by the community and the marriage of a girl is settled by judging her skill on the loom. Each girl weaves a risha to be worn on her wedding day on which is woven all the designs belonging to her mother's family which she, in turn, will pass on to her own daughters. Bright colours such as red are preferred and elaborating the design is considered a fascinating pursuit. In the attempt to create harmony of colour and design the weaver feels like a dancing girl when she works at her loom. Tribal motifs are much stylized and abstract each bearing its own traditional distinctiveness. Chakma women most commonly wear an unstitched wrapped body cloth (lungi) in traditional dress.

Cultural Context

everyday

Item History

What

Name
Skirt
Identification Number
Ei33
Type of Item
skirt
Material
cotton fibre and dye
Manufacturing Technique
woven
Overall
height 152.3 cm, width 100.2 cm

Who

Culture
Chakma
Previous Owner
Stephen Inglis
Received from
Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source) and Stephen Inglis (Seller)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
Tripura, India

When

Collection Date
during 1976
Ownership Date
before December 2, 1977
Acquisition Date
on December 2, 1977

Other

Item Classes
textiles
Condition
good
Accession Number
0411/0147