pomogo

Pomogo is a traditional communal practice that combines textile weaving, ritual song, and seasonal festival activity within the Pomogo Highlands. It centers on the harvest and is performed by members of neighboring communities who share in the production, exchange, and distribution of woven cloth and food. The practice functions as both a craft tradition and a social event, linking households through cooperative labor and celebrations.

The name pomogo derives from words in the local language that are interpreted as "together" and "growth" or "to prosper." Early written references appear in regional records from the 17th century, though the practice is believed to be older in oral history.

Historically, pomogo began as an agrarian ceremony marking the end of the harvest season. It absorbed influences from neighboring cultures during trade and colonial contact, then experienced a revival during later centuries as communities sought to preserve traditional crafts and identities.

Practices and techniques center on backstrap loom weaving to produce patterned textiles, often featuring a spiral motif. Natural plant-based dyes are used to color fabrics. Song performances accompany the weaving and processional components, with choreographed steps that accompany rituals known as the "thread cycle" and "market call." The event typically spans several days, culminating in a communal feast and cloth exchange.

Pomogo has social significance as a mechanism for kinship reinforcement, risk-sharing, and the maintenance of craft skills across generations. In modern contexts, it is both a living tradition and a cultural attraction, with some communities maintaining strict apprenticeship pathways while others adapt for tourism. Contemporary preservation efforts emphasize documentation, ethical tourism, and support for local weavers and musicians.