Skirt Date Unknown

This skirt was woven by Kratu, but we don't know when. The red color, the horizontal bands, and the geometric patterns woven into this textile are far more than just decorative. They can be seen as reflections of social structures and cultural values. Textile production in many societies is closely tied to women's work and domestic life. As such, textiles can carry a variety of social meanings related to gender, status, and identity. Textiles were often used as a means of communication, with specific patterns or colors conveying particular messages or affiliations. We can ask, for example, what indigenous knowledge is embedded within the weaving of this skirt, and how is this knowledge shared between generations? Such questions require research into weaving traditions, oral histories, and material culture, all of which contribute to a deeper understanding of the ways in which art is fundamentally embedded in social life.