Iban (Sea Dayaks) women have for generations been the keepers
of material culture, most importantly through the woven art of pua
kumbu - a warp Ikat natural dyed cotton textile. The creation of such
textiles is associated with dreams. Traditionally, designs and patterns
were given to the weaver through divine inspiration by the weaving
goddess Kumang while the weaver was asleep. To the traditional Iban,
such pua kumbu textiles are imbued with a spiritual power and are
associated with traditional rituals and religious ceremonies. The pua
kumbu has received international recognition since it was first
introduced to the textile world in the mid 1980s.