|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
OMEGA BEADS CRAFT The many colorful beads used by the various indigenous people of Borneo especially the Orang Ulu (Hill People) signified their delicate emphasis in their art and craft works. But there are still uncertainties till today how these beads found their way to the island of Borneo. Some British Officers during the Brooke regime mentioned that the Sabean traders brought some of these beads during pre-Christian times. Yet others mentioned that most of Borneo’s beads were originally made from an imported raw material, which contained a high proportion of melted down glass scrap from some Middle East countries.
The Orang Ulu are well known for their skills in crafting antique glass beads on their household items such as baby cradles, clothing and headgear forming intricate patterns of their cultural and traditional motifs. These beads play an important role in the Orang Ulu society, and aristocratic ladies can easily tell if a bead is a genuine antique from Venice or Bohemia, or a modern copy. Great value is placed on fine beadwork, and items are passed down from mother to daughter for generations. The Kayan and Kenyah natives traditionally carry their babies in rattan back cradles with wooden bottoms. These cradles are elaborately decorated with multicolored beaded panels. Ancient glass beads, bear-claws or leopard's fangs added to the spiritual protection of the baby carried within. Only babies of aristocratic families may have cradles with the full-figure motif. The curled tendril-like motif is characteristic of Kayan/Kenyah art. The central human figures are intertwined with the hornbill head motif. Besides the old valuable beads, the natives also use seed beads to make traditional headbands, clothing, necklaces and wristbands. Traditionally, the patterns were designed, carved and painted by men; women carried out the painstaking and slow process of threading the beads. Webmaster: Functionet Management Services / E-mail: functionet@hotmail.com Copyright © 1996 [Functionet Management Services]. All rights reserved. Last Updated: April 24, 2000. |
|
||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
