Title
Tray
Year/Period
20th century
Region
Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra
Material
Technique
Accession No.
XXXX-11089

This hand-hewn tray with handle in the shape of a boat, is known as the 'lulak'. A wide array of wooden bowls and trays are used in Mentawai. Along with pedestals and bowls, wooden trays are used for rituals and during important ceremonies. Some are also used as food trays.The Mentawai also known as Mentawei and Mentawi, are the native people of the Mentawai islands located in the Indian Ocean in West Sumatra. The islands consist of Siberut, Sipora, and North and South Pagai. The Mentawai, whose roots can be traced to the Neolithic period, live a semi-nomadic, hunter-gatherer lifestyle characterised by animistic beliefs.