Ceremonial Skirt

Pipikoro dialect, Uma language (barkcloth), Kulawi village (finished skirt). Ceremonial barkcloth skirt (topi' kuluma kaju) (topi' = skirt; kuluma = skin; kaju = wood/tree) Heavy dark brown barkcloth, pleated, with three tiers. Hanging from the first tier, pairs of red and white cloth ornaments with silver paper wrappings; from the second tier, pairs of pink and green cloth ornaments with silver and red paper wrappings. White cotton waist band (hidden underneath first tier, along with a narrow fiber band). Barkcloth from nunu lero (Ficus sp. : probably Ficus infectoria). Barkcloth tube made in Kantewu village (Pipikoro region), but later decoration of skirt (tassles, etc.) finished in a Kulawi village. Use of tassels said to be of recent origin, e.g. last 10-20 years. Traditionally all Kulawi sub-district girls had to be able to make barkcloth clothes before they could marry.