trebui

Trebui is a traditional textile technique attributed to the Neru people of the Neru Archipelago. It combines spinning, weaving, and finishing to produce large woven panels used in ceremonial garments and banners. The craft is valued for its technical skill and its symbolic significance, with patterns and colors encoding kinship and history.

Origin and etymology. The name trebui derives from Neruan words meaning three and bind, referencing a three-phase process: fiber preparation, weaving, and finishing. Early references appear in archival chronicles dating to the late medieval period, and surviving samples date from the 15th century.

Production. Materials are natural fibers such as plant-based threads and natural dyes. The process begins with fiber preparation, then weaving on backstrap or floor looms to create patterned panels. Finishing steps may include waxing or resin sealing to protect the surface and influence texture. Motifs are typically geometric or floral and produced by supplementary weft techniques.

Variants and cultural role. Three main variants are recognized: trebui-sora (ceremonial banners), trebui-rua (garments for elders), and trebui-kit (daily wraps). Motifs and color schemes encode lineage and regional affiliation. Trebui features prominently in rites of passage, festivals, and the textile-based gift economy.

Modern context. Trebui remains a living tradition in the Neru world, studied by artisans and scholars. Contemporary practitioners blend traditional patterns with new dyes and tools, while preserving apprenticeship rules and collective ownership of designs.