Unidentified Gayo Artist Boy’s Ceremonial Jacket or Shirt, c. 1950 Indonesia Cotton ground and lining, cotton appliqué, cotton and silk embroidery threads Gift of Frandy Garrett, Jakarta, Indonesia, BMA 2006.78 Many cultures express their identity through their clothing using traditional textile skills and materials. The Gayo people of Sumatra (Aceh Province) use appliqué and embroidery to ornament textiles like this jacket, which was part of an outfit of the type worn by boys at circumcision ceremonies. The bands of geometric designs and floral motifs are stitched by male embroiderers, formerly by hand, but more recently with the aid of sewing machines. Draft JACKET OR SHIRT c. 1950 Indonesia, Aceh province Maker: Unknown, Aceh Gayo peoples Cotton ground and lining, cotton appliqué, cotton and silk embroidery threads The Gayo people of the Aceh province of Sumatra are unique among the Acehnese in their use of appliqué and embroidery to ornament their textiles. An example is seen in this jacket, part of an outfit including a sarong and shirt traditionally worn by middle-class boys 6 to 12 years old at circumcision ceremonies. The elaborate bands of geometric designs and floral motifs were generally worked by hand by male embroiderers, but are now commonly done by machine, as in this case. The dotted fabric appliquéd across the jacket and bands of matching embroidery are also found on the sarong. Gift of Frandy Garrett, Jakarta, Indonesia, BMA 2006.78