Traditional clothes are one of the most important components to show the existence of a cultural custom. Indonesia itself has many traditional clothes that come from various tribes and ethnic groups. One of them is sireuw. It is traditional clothing that originates from the land of Papua.
When talking about the traditional clothes of Papua, then most people immediately think of koteka. Though, there are many other traditional clothes here. The reason is that in Papua there many small tribes exist. For example, the tribes that come from the Archipelago of Yapen Regency.
So, here is an explanation of their traditional clothes!
How to Make Sireuw?
If you are curious about who wears sireuw, then most of them are women. Its function is similar to a skirt. Usually, this is made of woven beads. As for the design, there are definitely various patterns of sireuw. From the human skeleton, sea ghost, crocodile, moon, star, sun, tifa, and the bird of cendrawasih.
All the beads that are used for the skirt come from nature. Usually, they use grass seeds to make this kind of traditional skirt. Aside from that, sometimes they also use fruit seeds of the patibu tree. However, as time went by, there were also people who made it from glass beads.
In addition to beads, how to make sireuw they also need tree bark. In the past, they would use the tree bark of gemono. Unfortunately, now the existence of the bark is indeed reduced. So, the Yapen people look for other types of bark to make these traditional clothes. For now, they use the bark of semang.
Then, they also use another kind of bark. For example, the rope of the tree mat, kusumi seaweed rope, bark or jute rope, a win rope, and also a pandan tree rope. They will adjust a tree bark and beads according to the clothes and the pattern that will be made.
Usually, there are 5 colors they use to make this. The colors are red (berika), yellow (boning), blue (kehe), white (bua), and black (nyumetang). They have used these five colors since the time of their ancestors.
The Functions and Uses of Sireuw
In fact, there are different functions of sireuw for the people of Yapen. There are at least three functions and uses of the clothes. Here are the lists of them!
- As a Clothes
The first and main function and use of sireuw are probably for clothes. Most women from the archipelago of Yapen use it as a skirt. Especially, when modern clothing has not yet entered this region. But, for now, the people of Yapen no longer use them as daily clothes.
However, until now, they still use their traditional clothes at big events. Usually, they use it for tribal tradition purposes. For example, in wedding ceremonies, cultural performances, or any other traditional events.
- As a Dowry
In addition to clothes, the Yapen people also use their traditional clothes as dowry. Usually, the groom will use it as an offering to the bride. Apart from the traditional clothes, they also provide other gifts as a dowry. The most common ones are plates and jars.
- As an Item of Exchange
Basically, sireuw is a valuable item, especially in ancient times. When they still do not have currency as a medium of exchange, they use these traditional clothes. Usually, they exchange it for other valuables like porcelain plates. Sometimes, they also exchange it for bronze and metal items.
At that time, Sireuw was one of the important commodities for the people of the Archipelago of Yapen. Actually, not only in the Yapen, but around Cenderawasih Bay regions. Besides being an item of exchange, it also opens up relationships with other areas. Such as Biak, Wondama, and Mamberamo.
