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| Traditional Ulos Cloth of the Batak Tribe |
Ulos cloth is a traditional garment from North Sumatra commonly worn by the Batak people. This woven cloth, shaped like a shawl, is considered a symbol of blessing, affection, and unity. The Batak people regard Ulos as a sacred item, reflected in their saying: "Ijuk pangihot ni hodong, Ulos pangihot ni holong," which means, "If ijuk binds the palm fronds to the trunk, then Ulos binds affection among people."
Batak men typically wear suits with Ulos cloth wrapped around their entire bodies. Meanwhile, Batak women usually wear kebaya paired with Ulos cloth fashioned into a skirt. Additionally, Ulos can be draped over the shoulder as a shawl. Literally, Ulos means a blanket cloth that functions to warm the body and protect against the cold.
The presence of Ulos carries a deep philosophy related to the Batak people's beliefs about life. The Batak ancestors believed that three things are sources of human life: blood, breath, and warmth. Therefore, they believed that humans need warmth, which comes from three primary sources: the sun, fire, and Ulos. The Batak people believe that Ulos is far more flexible for use as body warmth. This is because Ulos, unlike the sun which rises and sets, and unlike fire which is impractical to use, can be used anytime and anywhere.