ULOS

Ulos is the traditional fabric of the Batak regions and also one of the Batak traditional crafts. I do not know when to start making Ulos Batak society. That said, Ulos has become typical of Batak from the first craft. Even before they knew of textile products, Ulos already made garments daily. However, not all Ulos Batak can be used in everyday life. There are several types Ulos, but each type Ulos can be used only in certain events. Let's say, Ulos Jugia should only be worn by the Batak people who already have grandchildren. There is also Ulos Yeast Life that can be used for various purposes customary. Not only are two kinds of Ulos that alone, there are several other types.

Ulos making process is relatively similar to traditional woven fabrics in general. Ulos piece is made of several strands of yarn that are woven using traditional looms. The craftsmen weaving often called ATBM, Non Woven Machine Tools. To make a piece of cloth Ulos takes a relatively long time. That is why, patience and perseverance is needed when producing a Ulos.

To produce a single strand of Ulos, there are several steps that must be passed. First, the process of weaving yarn. This weaving process to determine the motive or the type Ulos which will be produced. Second, staining the fabric. Typically, the dominant primary color fabric Ulos, Red, Black, and White. Usually, they use natural ingredients to give a basic color yarn ulos.

Once the color is ready, then that has been woven fabric is dipped into the liquid dye. Some say, this process takes a relatively long time. To create a fabric with some color, fabric must be dyed into the dye repeatedly. After weaving and coloring, the next process is drying. After all these stages have been passed, then Ulos can be made in such a way to follow the desired form of craft.

That said, not everyone can make Ulos. Besides requiring a long process, it takes special expertise to make a Ulos. Among craftsmen Ulos, there is such thing as levels of weaving. Levels are based on the number of sticks used to create a motif fabric. For beginners, he is only allowed to make Ulos with simple motifs. Because, to make the motifs are only required some amount of stick only. More and more the motive, the amount of stick that is used will also increase. Usually, the type produced by craftsmen Ulos beginner is scarves. As has been able to weave using the seven pieces stick, he can produce various kinds of cloth or other Ulos.

According to customs Batak, Batak everyone will receive at least three kinds Ulos since his birth until death. First, he will get Ulos when the new born into the world. His name, Ulos Parompa. First, name-alo Ulos Paralo Tondi. Second, Ulos Marjabu. Ulos this will be received when she married. The latter, he will receive Ulos when she died. In the Batak language, was called Saput Ulos.

If the first Ulos produced only for the scarf and sarong kebaya for couples. But now, Ulos also often used as a raw material for making various kinds of handicrafts, such as bags, pillowcases, tablecloths, belts, wallets, or curtains.