20th Century Tribal Penan Borneo Armbong Basket From Malaysia

Description

This is an extremely rare Penan Borneo Ambong bag. The hand twilled basket is woven with natural fibers and includes … more This is an extremely rare Penan Borneo Ambong bag. The hand twilled basket is woven with natural fibers and includes a geometric pattern, made by the Penan - Dayak people, Borneo in the 20 th Century. The Ambong bag made is made from twill-plaited split rattan by the Penan of Sarawak and was used to carry personal belongings on journeys. The nomadic Penan is well known for producing the finest rattan baskets which are closely plaited, soft and pliable. These are decorated in a cream or light color with dark brown or black design of hornbills, spiders and floral motives. This is a finely crafted Penan basket made of finely split rattan, it is a cylindrical back pack basket with two shoulder straps. The shoulder straps are braided rattan all intact and original. This basket is over 20 years old.

Borneo is home to several dozen distinct ethnic groups, almost all of whom are settled and farm rice. Only a few Penan maintain a nomadic existence. These last nomads live in Sarawak . Traditional Penan society is nomadic and survives by hunting and gathering. Only a handful of such societies remain on earth. less