The name of the mountainous and volcanic island Nipa was changed into Flores when in the 16th century when the Portuguese reached the Indonesian archipelago. Most of the inhabitants lived in rather isolated areas that offered restricted possibilities of communications.
As a result each ethnic group developed a specific cultural, artistic and even linguistic singularities.
The colour palette of the textiles is rather restricted. Morinda (red-brown) and indigo blue are the predominant dyes.
Songket is a term referring to the technique of brocaded decorations. Although the term sarong is most commonly known, the skirts (male or female) have more specific names in the different communities. For instance the Manggarai of Flores call them lipa whereas the Ngada call them lawo for women and sapu for men.