The island of Sumatra lies on one of the world's greatest trade routes, the maritime route linking China in the east to India, the Middle East and Europe in the West. For two thousand years the peoples of Sumatra have actively engaged in this trade. They integrated within their own cultures the many and varied influences that reached their shores from overseas. This book looks at the rich artistic heritage of Sumatra that has come down to us from the early Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms and from the later Islamic sultanates. It examines the influences from China, India, the Islamic lands and Europe,...

A lamak is a long narrow ritual hanging that is an essential requirement at almost all rituals in Bali. It is hung from altars and shrines at temple festivals and on festive holy days. Made usually of palm leaves, it is by nature ephemeral and it is made time and again. Even though permanent forms of the lamak, made of cloth or coins, do exist, the ephemeral palm leaf form must be present. Sometimes reaching a length of several metres and decorated with a range of motifs, its most elaborate forms are made by specialist craftsmen and women. The lamak serves as base for offerings and attracts...

A lamak is a long narrow ritual hanging that is an essential requirement at almost all rituals in Bali. It is hung from altars and shrines at temple festivals and on festive holy days. Made usually of palm leaves, it is by nature ephemeral and it is made time and again. Even though permanent forms of the lamak, made of cloth or coins, do exist, the ephemeral palm leaf form must be present. Sometimes reaching a length of several metres and decorated with a range of motifs, its most elaborate forms are made by specialist craftsmen and women. The lamak serves as base for offerings and attracts...