Songket or cloth of gold is originally from a mix of cotton and silk that was inter-woven with supplementary gold or silver thread. It is said to have evolved when the Malay sultanates began trading with China and India where the silk, gold and silver came from. Today the imitation thread is generally used to replace the gold and silver which is much expensive. Because of its unique material and weaving method, Songket was once exclusive to royalty, but today it is used during formal occasion, such as weddings.
In Malaysia, songket is normally made for use during ceremonial functions such as during inaugurations, religious ceremonies, weddings and ceremonies marking circumcision, ear piercing and shaving the hair of a newborn baby. Today, songket is also worn during formal state functions and dinners.
Watch Songket Weaving video here.
No comments:
Post a Comment