In fact, all Bajawans claim descent from one of seven women. Upon marriage, a man moves to his wife s home. All property descends through the female line and nothing of value can be bought or sold without the consent of a household s women. Important business of this kind is carried out in the inner room of the clan house. During a meeting, all may speak their minds openly and nothing said may be repeated outside.
Decisions regarding property require the consensus of all the women present.
The women have a de facto veto on all business, even though, politically, a community is run by its men. The Textiles Traditional dress in Bajawa is indigo-black. The predominant motif is of small white ikat-dyed horses arranged in rows across the center of the textile. Men wear a sarong and a scarf or shoulder drape. Women use a long sarong that is worn high under the arm-pits with the front and back fastened over the shoulders, like a dress.