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SKIRT - MODERN SUMATRAN DANCE COSTUME

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c. 2003

Overview

Brown, red with gold coloured thread synthetic fabric. Top two third of skirt has blended vertical pattern of red to dark brown lines with gold thread pattern in between. Bottom third of skirt has a geometric diamond pattern in cream on the same coloured background as the top part of the skirt. The top and bottom horizontal line of the pattern are a line of long diamond shapes with three lines of shorter diamonds that join at the horizontal points.
There is a slit up the middle at the back of the skirt. Zipper at back of skirt that closes at the waist. Hems machine stitched. The seam of the skirt is down the back in the middle.

Historical information

This Sumatran dance costume was hand made by Astit Olszowy in her Bedfordale home in the early 2000's. On trips back to Indonesia Astit would often by material with traditional patters to use when making dance costumes.
Astit moved from Indonesia to Bedfordale in 1991 when she married Richard. she quickly became active in the Perth Indonesian community, working for them as a secretary where she helped organise numerous events. This led to her becoming involved with promoting Indonesian culture in Western Australia and joining the Selendang Sutra (Silk Veil) Indonesian Dance Troupe. As part of the troupe Astit would perform, choreograph, train new dancers and help make the costumes.
This costume was used by members of the troupe when performing Sumatran and Sulawesie dances.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-33-COA2022.42b

Item type

Material

Keywords

Selendang Sultra Indonesia Dance Troupe

OLSZOWY Astit Mrs

Year

c. 2003

Statement of significance

This object is part of a collction that tells the story of individuals and families that either voluntarily or were forced to leave their home and migrate to Western Australia from 1829 to modern day. These stories relate to leaving family and a known lifestyle and culture behind, embarking on a journey that for some was long, and creating a new home in an unfamiliar land with an unfamiliar culture.

City of Armadale - History House

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