Traditionally Foochow women who brewed their rice wines would look for a red piece of cloth to wrap the wooden stopper of their wine jars. My grandmother would take out some of the red cotton cloth she received from attending funerals for this purpose.
Right up to the 60's in Sibu, when a relative attended a funeral, she would present a piece of cloth ir Wang Lien, to the bereaved family, measuring 1 chien, 1 suk or 1 1/4 chien, a measurement in those days together with a white packet containing some cash. In return, she would be presented a piece of white cloth, measuring the same length for her to put over her shoulders, or tie around her waist. When she returned from the cemetery, she would be presented a piece of red material to take home. These pieces of red materials were collected and kept in the cupboard to be taken out for many different kinds of uses, e.g. bathing sarong (my grandmother found the red cloth very absorbent and two pieces would just make a nice sarong for bathing).
The white materials (belaju cloth) were used to make shirts, underwear, etc.
A red sarong for carrying babies was also a common sight in those days.
The red cloth to cover a wine jar as shown in the photos has been a traditional custom to help the brewer to repell any evil spirit which could turn the wine sour.
Sometimes a 6 inch nail might even be placed on top of the red cover top to add strength of the custom.
A 6 inch nail is a strong repellent of evil spirit.
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