Haikara Jangga

A digital archive showcasing the extensive collection of jewellery and adornment images shared on the former Ethnic Jewels Ning site over the years. These images have significantly enriched discussions on cultural adornment and its global dispersion.

Haikara Jangga

Posted by Edith D on March 21, 2017 at 9:45am

A hair comb from East Sumba made from turtle shell. Typically worn by brides, the rooster and horse motifs "symbolize power, fertility and protection." (see p. 79 of 'Kisah Perhiasan Nusantara' by Supit)

Comments

Thelma March 21, 2017 at 3:23pm

How interesting, Edith. The creatures at the top of the comb look like characters in an Indonesian puppet play. Fascinating.
Alaa eddine SAGID March 30, 2017 at 11:40pm

By the way how did you find that book "Kisah perhiasan Nusantara"? i hesitated getting a copy t jakarta airport, i tought it lacked substance compared with other indonesian jewels books!
Edith D March 31, 2017 at 9:39am

I agree with you! However, I always find that simply having photos with names are useful, and I almost always find a photo of a piece in one book that does not appear in others. Since I will be spending more time in Indonesia I thought buying more than one book worthwhile. I also have the one by Carpenter, which is quite good, and one by Sibeth which I prefer for its ethnographic and historic approach. However, the latter only includes Sumatra jewelry.
Edith D April 26, 2017 at 3:25pm

So, I found out how these are worn. The comb is secured to the back of the head with the curved of the comb following the shape of the head. The decorated area of the comb is placed slightly above the crown of the head. A band of cloth is wrapped around the head and across the back of the comb, thus helping to secure it in place.
Jose M. Pery April 28, 2017 at 11:55am

Beautiful!!. Very much like traditional Spanish "peineta" and "mantilla".

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Haikara Jangga

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