Symbolic and Socio-cultural Meaning Tanimbar Woven Fabric

摘要

Indonesia has been known to have diverse ethnic, cultural, religious, belief, linguistic, customs, and local wisdom with a wealth of values and meanings in each region. The Tanimbar area of West Southeast Maluku regency, Maluku Province also has local wisdom that has been passed down from generation to generation i.e. Ikat Weaving Fabrics, better known as "Tanimbar Fabrics." This study aims to discover the symbolic and social meaning behind Ikat Tanimbar Weaving Fabrics. The method used is descriptive qualitative with ethnography approach and sociology method with social fact paradigm approach. The results of this study illustrate that Tanimbar fabrics are usually inherited through the life skills or skills of a mother to her daughter by looking at her mother's way of weaving every day, which is done manually (traditionally). This weaving work has become a culture and has certain meanings in the life of the Tanimbar community. The manifestation of these meanings is seen in the social structure of the Tanimbar society that positions women to high social status. Also, Tanimbar fabrics are not only used as clothing and activities on certain custom occasions but also as a customary item for newlyweds, as well as goods or objects of honor or reward for the family (kin) if they die.