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The woven cloth is believed to have a soul , and each of its parts is created to symbolise parts of the human body . |
the stones in Namata are hardened sand that has taken this form as a result of over 250 years of cementation .
Our journey along the southern part of the island offered views of rocky hills that varied with shades of turquoise to pink , thanks to this hundred-year process . We arrived at Kelebba Maja , a small canyon that displays just how this cementation process has taken place , shaping sand into stones and leaving behind wavy lines along the slopes and sharp-edged cliffs . This place changes colour depending on the intensity of the sun .
A little further away from Kelebba Maja is Ladeae Hill , distinct with its pink valleys that fade into chalk-white – also a result of centuries of erosion . On the weekends , the area becomes a hangout spot for the island ’ s younger residents .
There ’ s no avoiding the temptations of ikat fabric in Sabu Raijua . I have long had an interest in these beautiful fabrics , and at the Teni Hawu Palace , I was able to see for myself a few sacred pieces that locals had inherited from the king of Sabu . I later discovered that local residents shared a special connection with lontar ( palm trees ),
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the easiest type of tree to grow in Sabu Raijua . Patterns of these trees could be seen on every piece of fabric I was able to get my hands on . Locals refer to Sabu Raijua ’ s ikat as hubi ( palm blossoms ).
There are no arts and crafts shops or special markets from which one can buy these ikat fabrics . Locals typically bring their fabric to sell when ships begin to dock at Dermaga Biu ( Biu Port ) or Dermaga Seba ( Seba Port ).
The woven cloth is believed to have a soul , and each of its parts is created to symbolise parts of the human body . Men typically wear the cloth in pairs : one around their waist and another piece as a scarf around their neck . I acquired a pair for myself , and headed home feeling like I had been a part of Sabu Raijua , taking with me a piece of this island ’ s mystical soul and crumbs from the very soil James Cook had once set foot on .
1 A boy in Sabu Raijua woven cloth .
2 Harvesting the fish , which are caught by fishermen ’ s nets in the early morning .
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© Valentino Luis |
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