*Collaborative post.
Malaysia has a variety of pakaian tradisional Melayu, Cina, and India with various shapes and colors. It comes in different symbols; from bird feathers and floral patterns to antique Royal songket fabrics. In ancient times, the natives wore clothes made of wood and beaded ornaments. When the rise of ancient civilizations, fabric weaving, and batik, pakaian tradisional Melayu worn by dignitaries and royalty. With the advent of foreign traders, clothing and fabrics such as Chinese silk, adhesives, and Arabic robes were introduced in the country.
Our pakaian tradisional Melayu, Cina, and India symbolize the plural nature of our society. For example, the uniqueness of traditional clothing of various races with various forms of cuts and ways of wearing as well as colorful.
Pakaian Tradisional Melayu
Before the 20th century, Malay women wore kemban fabrics in public places. But, after the arrival of Islam, they began to wear more polite pakaian tradisional Melayu. Baju kurung is a kind of loose-fitting shirt, sometimes up to the knee and matched with a long cloth that folds the edges. Baju kurung can also be combined with traditional fabrics such as songket or batik. Typically, these garments are used with a shawl or scarf and traditional headgears. Pakaian tradisional Melayu for men is the baju Melayu. Baju Melayu is a loose tunic worn over trousers. This dress is often paired with a siding cloth tied at the waist.
Pakaian Tradisional Cina
Besides, pakaian tradisional Melayu, the Chinese community is known for their comfortable and elegant cheongsam or ‘long sleeve shirt. Typically, the cheongsam design has a high neck, buttons on the shoulders, a tight shape at the waist, and a slit on the left and right of the fabric. These garments are usually made of silk, satin, and other types of soft fabrics.
Pakaian Tradisional India
Sari is a traditional Indian dress that is easily recognizable all over the world. A piece of cloth measuring 5 to 6 yards long is matched with a lining that is colored as if it were the sari, as well as choli that is the same color or as opposed to it. This sari is wrapped around the body with the embroidered end part placed on the left shoulder. The inner fabric is worn above or below the center and serves to support the sari from being stripped. Sari is made of various types, patterns, and colors of fabrics that are truly beautiful. Nowadays, Malays also use sari material as the fabric as the material for their pakaian tradisional Melayu like baju kurung or baju kebaya.
The culture must be maintained for the continuity of our civilization. Through traditional culture, we know our origins. With this, we will not forget the land. Instead, we will be aware of the hardships of our ancestors’ lives. From here we will learn. Our pure culture is also a fortress of culture. With this, our people are not swept away by Western culture. What exists today stems from the past. So the younger generation must recognize their origins.