TRADITIONAL WEST SUMATRAN CLOTHES…

By Tiarne, Laura and Sophie

WHAT IS THE TRADITIONAL DRESS IN WEST SUMATRA?The men wear a loose shirt and wide trousers, a head cloth (Saluak Batimba), a chest cloth (Kaciak), and a traditional knife (Karih) placed in front of their body.

The women wear a traditional costume called the Bundo Kanduang that consists of a head cover (Tengkuluk), a special dress (Baju Kurung), a chignon (Kodek-a roll of hair worn at the nape of the neck), a shawl (Salempang), and some jewelry.

WHAT ARE THESE TRADITIONAL CLOTHES MADE OUT OF?

The traditional Sumatran clothes are made of songket. The materials used to make songket are silk or cotton and gold or silver threads. The fabric to the right is a type of songket that represents bamboo sprouts.

How are traditional West Sumatran clothes made?Songket is sewn by hand. The main

materials are silk or cotton. Gold or silver threads are woven in

between the silk or cotton.The word “songket” originates from

the Indonesian word “sungkit” meaning “to hook”.

Making songket requires you to hook a group of threads and slip gold

strands in it. The gold or silver strands allow you to

make intricate patterns in the fabric.

The meaning of the traditional dress…The Bundo Kanduang…If someone wears the

Bundo Kanduang head dress (Tengkuluk) it indicates that she owns a mansion.

If the middle of the dress is black, red, blue or purple and is decorated with a gold thread, everyone with her has to obey all her rules.

History…

In West Sumatra, Indonesia there is a tribe called the Minangkabau. The traditional clothes shown previously originated from the Minangkabau tribe. The leader of the tribe usually wears the Bundo Kanduang to indicate importance and significance.

The traditional clothes of West Sumatra are worn on special

occasions.

THANKS FOR WATCHING…TRADITIONAL WEST SUMATRAN CLOTHES

BY…LAURA

TIARNE AND SOPHIE