Minangkabau Waist Sash (Ikek Pinggang)

This ceremonial waist sash (ikek pinggang) was made by Minangkabau weavers out of cotton and silver. The Minangkabau are a historically matrilineal Muslim society organized in small democratically-run villages in Western Sumatra, known for their richly symbolic and regionally-specific ceremonial clothing. Since each village is run by democratic consensus, each locality has its own specific rules about what and how ceremonial clothing should be worn. Minangkabau people can therefore usually identify where strangers are from based on the way they wear their skirts, hats, and belts, or from the motifs woven into their clothing.

This waist sash is made out of cotton and gold wrapped thread, and is brocade woven. The weaver decorated it with a variety of geometric motifs.