lokub (Container)

Lokub was a bamboo tube used in the mid-19th century for storing betel nuts, pepper leaves, and tobacco leaves. Presently, the tubes are used as flower vases and pencil holders. The geometric decorative designs on the exterior of the tube are thought to have been influenced by woven design. The production of a lokub is jointly male and female; males select, prepare the tubes for decoration, and sell them; females create and execute the designs.

storage

Cylindrical bamboo tube in two parts: top (part b) slides into the bottom (part a), not an accurate fit. The cylinder tapers towards both ends, each of which has a concave depression. A plaited loop is inserted in the centre of the top (part b) and is knotted on the interior. The design and the foot and the rim have been painted black. Geometric designs are incised on the sides. The bottom (part a) has three horizontal bands with the following patterns from top to bottom: four-lined inward pointing triangles to create a zig zag in between; inward pointing triangles that have horizontal lines within and that create a zig zags in between; and diamond shapes. The top (part b) has vertical bands of x-shapes, zig zags, and diagonal lines.