ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PC 339

The unique green dye used in northeast Pantar is prepared from several tropical plant species. The first in Alorese is called kroko long, also known as kolon susu or Calotropis gigantea. The use of kroko lolong is reserved for the dyes of the family of the king or kapitan. The leaves of krokololongplants are crushed and mixed with other herbal ingredients such as the leaves of the 'ink-fruit' tree, tang utang. If the dyer cannot find enough kroko lolong, she can instead use the air roots of a banyan tree, waringin or beringin, in Alorese called bao rambukung. The mixture is boiled for a few hours, then placed in a cool place and allowed to dry in for six days.
Kroko lolong plant.		Tang or tangir plant.
Air roots of the beringing (banyan) tree.		All photographs and information provided by Marthen Mabilehi.