These banners were locally considered sacred and were among the Sadan Toraja favourite during funerals of high-ranking persons, where they were mounted on high bamboo poles. The technique of dyeing used on this cotton textile is known under the name pelangi which literally means ‘rainbow’ and refers to the bright red, blue colours and undyed areas against a deep purplish to black ground, which are likened to the stars and sun in the universe. The centre of fabrication was Rongkong and these cloths were traded to neighbouring peoples as far as North Sulawesi. Handspun cotton thread, natural dyes. Provenance, Mrs. Ada Crone - Hondius (1893-1996) She was the daughter of Eduard Henrich Crone who had an import - export firm, H.G.Th. Crone, they imported coffee, cacao, and kapok from Indonesia. 1970's Rob Kok, Amsterdam and family collection.

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