World Heritage : Songket, Traditional Woven From Indonesia

The word songket comes from the term “sungkit” in Indonesian language, which means “hook” or “gouged”. This relates to a method of manufacture, namely by linking and taking a pinch of woven fabric, and then slipped the gold and silver threads.

Songket cloth weaving is a luxury that is usually worn during the celebration or party. Songket can be worn by wrapping the body like a glove, slung over the shoulder, grade ability as a headband or turban ornament. Tanjak is a kind of hat headdress made ​​of songket cloth commonly worn by the sultans and princes and nobles in Indonesia.

songket cloth became the clothing must be worn during ceremonies and other official ceremonies. Customary provisions that continue to survive until now. In the marriage ceremony, for example, wearing songket become imperative in the tradition of some communities in Indonesia.

Songket industry is usually performed in the household scales. Making songket usually takes many weeks. Some even up to six months. Depending on the technique used.

Judging from the material, how to manufacture, and price, songket was originally a luxury fabrics nobles who showed degrees of glory and dignity of the wearer.

To keep the preservation of cultural heritage, is now songket has been preserved in various ways, as well as a part of everyday lifestyle aka living culture and living tradition.