1988.124.McD Ceremonial cloth (pua sungkit)

The center of this pua sungkit depicts twelve dragons or serpents (naga/ nabau) which are coiled around or whose bellies are filled with trophy heads. Framing this powerful motif are variations of the “Path of the Python” (Leku Sawa) and “Horse Mango Fruit” (Buah Bunut). The latter design represents captured heads. Birds and snakes appear on borders sewn to the sides. The birds feed on the snakes and in turn sing to lull the powerful dragons into a tranquil state.

The banding of textiles frames and corrals their potency. Here, a white band reflects the power of this blanket and the prowess of its weaver. Among the Saribas Dayak, this type of textile is referred to as a Lebur Api, or “white hot fire tongs,” as it was necessary to cool down the dangerous heat of newly captured trophy heads as they were being received into the longhouse. Pua sungkit were used to handle heads and to honor and empower great warriors.

Roslyn A. Walker, Label text, 2013.

Borneo: The Island-Its Peoples    

1988: Dallas Museum of Art, gift of The Eugene and Margaret McDermott Art Fund, Inc., purchased from Steven G. Alpert, Dallas, Texas [1]

Notes:

The main source for this provenance is the invoice dated November 29, 1988, in the Collections Records object file (1988.124.McD).

[1] Works of art given or purchased by The Eugene and Margaret McDermott Art Fund, Inc., a non-profit organization, are placed in the custody of the DMA for the purpose of public display on the premises of the Museum or in other recognized art galleries or museums. The title to all works of art purchased (or otherwise acquired) by the McDermott Art Fund remains with the Fund.

Apply to objects where number equals 1988.124.McD