Antique Pua Kumbu Bali Belumpong with Engkeramba Motif

Pua Kumbu (Bali Belumpong with engkeramba motif)
Culture: Iban, Sarawak
Origin: Seratok, Sarawak
Date: Estimated 1890s
Dimensions: 168 × 75 cm
Materials & Technique: Handwoven cotton textile using the traditional ikat resist-dye technique, with natural dyes.
Provenance: Collected in Seratok, Sarawak; acquired from a private collector who assembled the piece in the early 1970s.
This Pua Kumbu represents the Bali Belumpong type, a restrained yet symbolically rich Iban ceremonial textile characterized by repeated horizontal pattern bands separated by open, undecorated fields. The cloth is composed in a balanced, longitudinal format, with a central plain section framed by elaborately patterned registers at both ends.

The decorative bands feature stylized geometric and anthropomorphic abstractions typical of late 19th-century Iban weaving, rendered in softened tones of reddish-brown, muted cream, and grey-blue, consistent with aged natural dyes. The motifs appear as rhythmic vertical elements interspersed with undulating lines and eye-like forms, suggesting protective and spiritual symbolism rather than explicit figurative representation. Such designs align with textiles intended for ritual use or as heirloom cloths (pua lama), rather than everyday domestic purposes.

The side borders (tumpal) are clearly defined with narrow, repeating linear patterns in contrasting hues, providing structural containment to the central field. Evidence of age is visible in the gentle fading of dyes, minor edge wear, and softening of the cotton fibers, all of which are consistent with a late 19th-century origin and long-term traditional use.

Cultural Context:
Within Iban society, Bali Belumpong Pua Kumbu are associated with ceremonial contexts and were often woven by accomplished women weavers (indu takar). The patterns would have been inspired through dreams (buah kayau or buah lena), reflecting spiritual knowledge and social status. Textiles of this period were highly valued, both as ritual objects and as markers of lineage and prestige.

Condition: Good antique condition for its age, with expected wear, softened texture, and some structural irregularities from prolonged use and storage.

Significance:
This textile is a well-preserved example of a late 19th-century Iban Pua Kumbu from the Saribas region, notable for its age, balanced composition, and authentic provenance. It holds strong ethnographic, cultural, and collector value as an early example of Sarawak Iban ritual weaving.