Upuh Ulen-Ulen
Upuh Ulen-Ulen, also known as kerawang gayo, is a traditional cloth of the Gayonese people in Aceh, Indonesia.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7a/Upuh_Ulen-Ulen.jpg/300px-Upuh_Ulen-Ulen.jpg)
The cloth is traditionally placed on a young couple during a wedding ceremony, as well as on the shoulders of guests of honour.[1] On April 6, 2018, the Aceh poet Lesik Kati Ara presented Joko Widodo, the president of Indonesia, with a cloth in the State Palace in Jakarta. [2]
The cloth has many components. Traditionally, the background is meant to be the same as 'the contrast and color of the Earth'. According to a Gayonese proverb, God created man from the earth, who then lives on the earth and ultimately returns to the earth after death. The white circle in the center symbolizes a full moon.[3]
Other motifs found in Upuh Ulen-Ulen are:
- A fence (jang), since everything in the world has a certain limit, beyond which one should not go.
- Sprouts of bamboo (tuwis), which are symbols of persistence, longevity, and happiness.
- A string of clouds (enum beriring), which is an allegory of our path through life.[4][5]
References[]
- ^ Kenakan Upuh Ulen-Ulen, Pangdam IM dan Ibu Jadi Warga Kehormatan Gayo
- ^ Fikar W Eda. Penyair LK Ara Baca Puisi «Bandara Rembela» Lalu Serahkan Upuh Ulen-Ulen kepada Presiden Jokowi
- ^ Andrian Kausyar. Upuh Ulen-Ulen
- ^ Rosmala Dewi, Irsanti. Kajian Visual Kerawang Gayo pada Upuh Ulen-Ulen
- ^ Kain (Upuh Ulen-Ulen)
- Textile arts
- Indonesian clothing
- Indonesian culture
- Aceh