Recently, one of the most beautiful and also legendary traditional outfits from the Iban Community has been a very trending topic that got discussed by many netizens on various social media platforms. Interestingly, there are actually so much information and also the knowledge that can be learned from this particular outfit that many people still do not know about. For all of your information, this article will help you as this is the rundown about the famous traditional outfit for women of Iban Community. The traditional outfit of Iban women is called ‘Ngepan Iban’.
The uniqueness of this particular women’s outfit would be that almost all of their clothes are woven and they are also full of very interesting and even unique patterns. The origin of ‘Ngepan Iban’ is believed to come from a girl named Kumang in ancient times. Kumang was a very good woman among the earlier Iban women. She is a woman who is good at doing any women’s work such as weaving and others. Moreover, she used to be not only famous for her beauty but she had a good attitude towards others. Kumang’s skills have produced the dress has become a reference as a traditional dress for the Iban community.
Picture: BTPN Sarawak
1) Tangu
This tangu or marek empang is made of beads and decorated with cloth balls for the purpose of covering the chest or small shirt and also kemban. The composition of Marek Empang has been a hereditary heritage among the Iban community in Sarawak. This tangu pattern is decorated with patterns according to their respective wishes. The beaded work, the colors used and the design can easily distinguish the Iban ethnicity from other ethnicities. It also looks like a large chain covering the chest and worn around the neck.
2) Sugu Tinggi
This Sugu Tinggi is worn on the head, it is also known as tall combs which are silver-colored jewelry that gives its own uniqueness and attractive luster. Sugu Tinggi is a handicraft made from a floral pattern. In the old days, this Sugu Tinggi was made right of silver, but now the high sugu is made of silver-plated aluminum. At the same time, Ensuga Tisir is an ornament placed together with a Sugu Tinggi with a floral pattern.
3) Sementing Ringgit
Sementing Ringgit is a belt loop or also known as gobeng. It hangs like a belt of money. The coins are fully stitched and sealed. At the top, the 50 cent coin will be stitched close to the other coins. While the bottom coin is a 20 cent or 10 cent coin stitched together and will form a string that hangs from top to bottom. Most of these Sementing Ringgit will be silver in color. During the ceremony or dance they will wear it and more mesmerizing the dance when this Sementing Ringgit will sway according to the swing of the dance.
Sources: My Baju
