About Malaysia - Arts & Culture Traditional Attire
From magnificent tribal head-feathers with bark body-covers to Antique gold-woven royal songket fabric, the array of Malaysia's traditional costumes and textiles are stunningly diverse and colourful. Many of their origins are Millennia-old and represent Asia's entire fashion heritage. The traditional attire of Malaysia began with the native bark costumes and beads and by the time of the ancient kingdoms had evolved to hand-loomed fine textiles and intricate Malay batik motifs.
As foreign trade, influence and immigrants increased, costumes worn across the Malaysian landscape became more diverse with Chinese silks, Indian pulicat and Arabian jubbah . Today traditional attire, from Malay Kebaya Labuh and locally inspired Muslim women's fashions to Indian saree and Chinese cheongsam are still in vogue.
Malay Before the 20th century, Malay women still wore kemban bodice wraps in public - just a sarong tied above the chest. Growing Islamic awareness gave rise to the more modest yet elegant baju kebaya long sleeve blouse with sarong and the baju kurung , a longer dress over a tailored kain .
A variety of fashionable headscarves accompany the observant lady. For men, the trouser baju Melayu , coupled with a ]up wrap remains the time-honored traditional dress, with the handcrafted baju batik shirt popular with all Malaysians.
Hand-printed or drawn batik , woven songket and embroidered tekat are some of the popular Malay textiles.
Chinese Chinese textiles and costumes, especially silks and fine embroideries are known worldwide.
The traditional cheongsam or 'long dress' worn by ladies is a popular contemporary fashion in all its exciting variations.
The dress is easy to slip on and comfortable to wear. Its neck is raised, with a closed collar. Sleeves may be short, medium or full length. The dress has a loose chest usually buttoned on the right side, a fitting waist and slits on either one or both sides of the costume.
Traditional male costumes, such as the Ming robe however, are less ubiquitous.
Indian Indian fashion is synonymous everywhere with the elegant saree . Likewise in Malaysia, the saree is a long unstitched length of fabric draped around the body in various styles or folds, which traditionally could be used to indicate the social status of the wearer.
Considering the variety of materials, textures and designs that are employed in saree usage, it is truly a fascinating fruit of the loom.
The kurta on the other hand, is associated with Indian male attire. There is also the trouser salwar kameez or the 'Punjabi costumes' it is originally associated with Sikh ladies.
Sarawak Malaysia's largest state also has numerous tribal costumes unique to each ethnic groups.
Using different clothing designs and organically curved native motifs, common materials would be hand-loomed cloths, tree bark fabrics, feathers, woven hats and also beadwork especially for Orang Ulu tribes.
Among internationally known Sarawak textiles are the Iban woven pua kumbu and Sarawak Malay songket as well as colourful bead accessories., traditional jewellery and head adornments.
Sabah The many different ethnic group in Sabah exhibit various traditional costumes that are unique to the state.
Each group adorns attire, headgear and personal ornaments that have distinctive forms, motif and colour schemes characteristic of their respective tribe and district.
Orang Asli As the Aboriginal groups, referred to as Orang Asli, come in over 18 ethno linguistic communities, broadly categorised under Negrito, Senoi and Proto-Malay subgroups, there is also a good diversity in their attire.
Nonetheless, being traditionally forest dwellers the clothing of deep jungle Orang Asli from ages past are made from natural materials, from example bark of trees such as the terap as well as grass skirts. Ornaments include headbands woven from leaf fronds skillfully made in intricate patterns.
Portuguese - Eurasian Descended from Portuguese settlers of the 16th century, their traditional attire comes from the Portuguese-European heritage.
Men wear jackets and trousers with waist sashes, ladies wear broad front-layered skirts. There is a preponderance of black and red colours. Otherwise ladies also like to wear the kebaya.
Baba Nyonya Also called 'Straits Chinese' and 'Peranakan', the Baba-Nyonya descendants of Chinese nobles who married Malays adopted much of Malay culture into their Chinese heritage.
As many were merchant families, they could afford refined clothing's that were taken from both communities.
The elegant women's Kebaya Nyonya embroidered dress is one such legacy, as well as expensive brocade shoes and Nyonya heirloom Jewellery.
About Malaysia - Arts & Culture Traditional Attire
