Ceremonial textile (pinunsaan)

This is a fine example of a pinunsaan, a textile with a high social value among the Toba Batak of northern Sumatra. Assembled from five different pieces of cloth, this cloth has an ikat centerpiece and end panels of intricate supplementary weft. Pinunsaan are notable for having end panels that do not mirror each other but have unique patterns, which are identified by Batak weavers as either male or female.

The textile could have several functions: as a shoulder cloth or hip cloth for men and women of high social standing; as a burial shroud or coffin cover; or as a gift in ritual exchanges between a bride’s and groom’s families.