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Circumcision cloth

Title

Circumcision cloth

Year/Period

c.1900

Region

Minangkabau, Western Sumatra

Technique

embroidery, crochet

Dimension

Object size: L77.8 x W49.7 cm

Accession No.

2000-05598

Collection of

Asian Civilisations Museum

This cloth used during a circumcision ceremony is of white cotton with embroidery of floral, bird and deer motifs. The edges are embellished with tassels made using crochet technique. The circumcision ceremony marks a Minangkabau man's passage from childhood to adulthood. Elaborate sequence of events must be followed to ensure that it proceeds according to Minang 'adat' or tradition.