Last September's Kunker Became Jokowi's Beginning 'Love Collapse' And Wear Traditional Tanimbar Clothes

President Joko Widodo wears traditional clothes from Tanimbar, Maluku (right) accompanied by Mrs. Iriana Joko Widodo waving/ANTARA

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is said to have been interested in traditional Tanimbar clothes since making a working visit to Saumlaki, Tanimbar Regency, Maluku Province, last September. The clothes included three traditional clothing prepared by President Jokowi's Personal Secretary, Anggit Nugroho, to be worn by the President in a state speech at the Senayan Parliament Complex on August 16, 2023 and the 77th Indonesian Independence Day Commemoration Ceremony at the Merdeka Palace on August 17, 2023. "For the 16th President (Jokowi) chose traditional clothes from Tanimbar Islands Regency, a modified version," said Anggit in a written statement, quoted from Antara, Wednesday, August 16. This traditional Tanimbar clothing consists of headbands (kaluyak uke) with bird decorations (somalays), clothes, trousers, and cross-sections from woven fabrics (sial brana) as well as broad belts from woven fabrics. The accessory worn by the President in the form of a necklace called mamuat, retains the meaning of determination towards promises to live life. While the headband called karayak uke with somalay accessories symbolizes the responsibility that a man holds. “ In woven fabrics there is a ultimate motif that symbolizes dignity and human dignity. There is also a Kilun Loan floral motif that symbolizes the importance of a woman's position that marks the perfection of a man, ” said Anggit. The traditional clothes were obtained and prepared by the Maluku Provincial Government. Meanwhile, the traditional clothing worn by First Lady Iriana Jokowi was not specially prepared by the secretary, but was prepared by Mrs. Iriana herself. When accompanying President Jokowi at the MPR RI Annual Session on Wednesday, Mrs. Iriana appeared to be wearing a kebaya suit and a golden yellow songket cloth. The appearance of the First Lady is increasingly beautified with a silver brooch on the chest and a flower and acyclisted scarf attached to her right shoulder.

Mrs. Iriana was seen wearing simple makeup with her hair hanging behind her head.