Dayak Iban body armor?

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by Dajak

Hi Bill nice display these are just jackets to wear not used for armour
here a picture from mine jacket this one has no sleeve s

Hi Ben,

I understand that cloth will not stop a blade, but didn't the Iban wear these as a kind of armor to keep them safe from enemies, both physical and spiritual?

It is my understanding that they feared spiritual attacks from deceased animals, enemies and inimical spirits.

Not all armor is hard metal or horn. Not all weapons have an immediate utilitarian function. Do you agree?

Or did the Iban wear jackets like these strictly for modesty or decoratiive social outings?