President Joko Widodo Wears Dolomani Traditional Clothing at Commemoration of Indonesian Independence

JAKARTA, NETRALNEWS.COM - Indonesian President Joko Widodo has worn traditional clothes from Buton, Southeast Sulawesi, at the commemoration ceremony for the 77th Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, on Wednesday (08/17/2022).

The traditional clothing of Buton worn by President Jokowi is named Dolomani.

"This is a shirt from Buton, Southeast Sulawesi. This is a Dolomani shirt from Buton," the President said in response to questions from reporters at the Merdeka Palace before the ceremony began.

The Dolomani shirt worn by President Joko Widodo is in the form of a long red robe with white ornaments along the edges of the robe.

Inside the red robe, President Joko Widodo wears an ivory white shirt without a collar decorated with sequins that looks harmonious with the robe ornament.

At the bottom, the President wears red pants with white ornaments to match the robe.

He also wore a round headgear with white ornaments, black and white sarong, belt, and a keris dagger tucked into the waist.

So, what is the meaning or philosophy of the Dolomani traditional dress?

As reported from various sources, Dolomani clothes are usually worn by the Sultan of Buton during official events or sultanate ceremonies. This outfit was often worn by the 35th Sultan of Buton, Sultan Muhammad Ali.

Dolomani traditional clothes consist of shirt, pants, sarong, and skullcaps. When wearing this outfit, it is equipped with a kotango (underwear), sulepe (belt), ewanga (kris or badik), and katuko (stick).

In the clothes there are a number of philosophies, one of which is embroidery with a rongo flower pattern that symbolizes the journey of a leader.

Leaders are described as pioneering from the common people or from below, rising to become leaders and then going down again to be ordinary people.

Then there are local plant ornaments which are known to be sweet but can trigger itching. This implies that the leader must be alert to danger.

While on the skullcap there are floral ornaments and calligraphy that reads \'maulana\'. \'Maulana\' has several meanings including God, guardian, helper or leader. Here it implies that the leader must be able to bring prosperity.