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Very fine cloth, worn as a skirt by statuette of goddess. Native cotton, woven as 6 narrow bands, and then sewn together. The centre consists of broad black and narrower white stripes. Both sides and both ends are ornamented with small lozenge patterns in red and black wools and yellow cotton. |
| note: |
descriptions derived from original source material unless in square brackets or otherwise stated |
| text: |
Collected, with other items, by J.C. Higgins (Political Agent in Manipur) and J.P. Mills with the Cachar Road column in Feb.-Mar. 1931. This force was sent to deal with the Kabui 'Messiah' named Jadonang and his priestess Gaidiliu. In one of their temples in Kambiron village two painted clay statuettes of a god and goddess were found, wearing these cloths. these two figures bore a strong resemblance to Jadonang and Gaidiliu. The images (2 to 3 ft. high) were destroyed. Such gods were not of Naga type; the idea was borrowed from Hinduism on the plains. the cloths were of the pattern worn at dances and festivals. They were identified from photographs taken on the spot. |
