Common Threads

The weaving activity of the Adonara community was originally done as a leisurely pastime after the harvest was completed and crops were stored in the barn. At the present time, weaving has become a matter of livelihood. Weaving skill is usually passed down from one generation to the next. Weaving skills in the past were often a requirement for a woman to be married, though now it is no longer an explicit expectation.

Production

The stages to produce fabrics consist of two sub-activities, namely neket kewatek and tane kewatek. Neket kewatek aims to prepare and organize the yarn according to the type of fabric to be produced, while tane kewatek are activities of weaving to produce fabrics. One intact piece of fabric consists of two parts, or two nae’, with the same size and symmetrical patterns of thread color. The weaving process to produce fabric takes four to five days. However, if there are obstacles such as death or other family matters, then the time may be extended.

Nowi, Kewatek, and Senae

Woven fabric of Adonara is called nowi (for men), kewatek (for women), and senae (“shawl”). Nowi comes in one type with a size of usually five to seven hand span width and six to seven hand span length. There are several types of kewatek with size four to five hand span width and six to seven hand span length. The size of the senae varies with one to three hand span width and five to seven hand span length. Their designs sport a variety of motifs suitable for their purposes.

Design

Weavers of senae and kewatek develop different motifs, which also distinguish the selling price. Typical traditional designs seen primarily on kewatek penetoten include the following:

• kolon matan (bird’s eye)
• ule (caterpillar)
• lako dowa (civet creep)
• kau nepin (lying coconut leaves)
• ile wurune (mountain)
• makoken (bowl)

Currently, these modern motifs are being developed:

• muko kena’lan (sliced bananas)
• karo lolon (leaf)
• kuku beak (butterfly)
• a trophy
• combinations of different patterns

Bottom Line

To complete one woven fabric nowi or kewatek takes 20 to 25 spun of yarn. One spun of yarn is bought at IDR 1,500. Generally, the fabric nowi or kewatek is sold at IDR 150,000 to IDR 200,000. These prices fluctuate depending on the price of yarn.

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