The Toraja display this type of sacred banner at ceremonial events such as funerals and feasts. The banners are decorated using the plangi technique, which involves areas of the cloth being tied with dye-resistant fibres before dyeing (tie-dyeing). Typical colours include red, indigo blue, and maroon, the latter produced by dyeing blue over red. Such banners have a grid-like design of diamonds, dots, and spots. These may represent the sun and stars. The Toraja also paint these spotted designs onto bark-cloth shirts that cannot be tie-dyed. In addition to being used for ceremonies, these cloths are traded with neighbouring groups, such as the Sa’dan Toraja.

Asian Art Department, AGNSW, May 2011