Re-weaving the Past
Indonesia is home to a vast assortment of traditional handwoven textiles, most of which are not as well-known as batik. Each region offers its own unique variety with vibrant colors and intricate patterns. Today, many of the lesser-known textiles such as the Silungkang songket and Dayak Iban ikat have begun to disappear. A group of youths in Sawahlunto, West Sumatra, have revived the Silungkang songket by creating new motifs and preserving the region’s hand-weaving technique. This August, the Sawahlunto government will hold an international songket festival. Meanwhile, the ASPPUK (Women in Small Businesses Assistance Association), a non-profit organization in Kapuas Hulu, offers guidance for Dayak Iban weavers, to help them return to natural dyes and preserve their age-old weaving tradition. Tempo English reports.
August 15, 2017
The Silungkang Songket’s Comeback
A group of young people in the village of Lunto Timur, Sawahlunto, West Sumatra, have enhanced the traditional Silungkang songket fabric using natural dyes and new motifs. Their products have been exhibited abroad.
Fitria Yuria Agustin, 21, describes her daily afternoon ritual at her neighbor Anita Dona Asri’s house in Lunto Timur as ‘productive window shopping’. At Anita’s house, Ria-short for Fitria
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