Diamond or rhomb motifs have been adopted by many ethnic groups in Indonesia. The version on this loin cloth from Savu island is called wo hepi. It represents a stylised fish.  The overall effect is geometric.

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The ratio of 2: 1 (triangles: rhomb) on the border is suggestive of binary rhythmic divisions in traditional music across the Indonesian archipelago. Many higher pitched instruments are played at a tempo that is 2, 4, 8 or 16 times faster than the bass instruments.

 

As is the custom with quality Savu cloths however, its design is asymmetrical, with an uneven number of vertical bands.

 

Hi’i wo hepi – men’s loin cloth, tenun ikat (handspun cotton), Savu

Kindly lent by Kadar and Anton Lucas