🔴 ASAL USUL TENUN SONGKET MELAYU RIAU | RAGAM MELAYU RIAU

Summary

This video explores the origins of the Malay Riau Songket fabric, tracing its roots to the Terengganu Kingdom in Malaysia. Introduced by a skilled artisan, Won City binti one Karim, the craft was initially reserved for royal families and nobles. The video highlights the evolution of the Songket, including the introduction of silk and gold threads, and the impact of trade with China and India. The video also describes various motifs used in Riau's Songket, such as bunga cengkeh and payung sekaki, offering insight into this rich cultural heritage.

Takeaways

• 😀 The origin of Riau Malay Songket fabric can be traced back to Terengganu, Malaysia, where it was introduced by a skilled artisan named Won City binti One Karim during the reign of Sultan Syarif Ali Abdul Jalil Syaifuddin.
• 😀 Songket fabric initially served as a symbol of royalty, worn only by the Sultan's family and nobility, and was considered a sign of grandeur and pride.
• 😀 The fabric was originally made using silk thread combined with gold and silver thread, influenced by trade with Chinese and Indian merchants who brought silk and precious metals.
• 😀 As the cost of these materials rose, cotton threads replaced silk, maintaining the craft's continued use among the local population.
• 😀 The name 'songket' comes from the Malay word 'sungkit,' meaning to hook or pull, referring to the method of weaving where threads are hooked to add gold or silver elements.
• 😀 The Sultan's consort, Tengku Maharatu, played a key role in preserving and promoting the songket weaving tradition to improve the livelihoods of women in Siak.
• 😀 Initially, songket weaving in Siak was done using a simple tool called 'ukik,' which produced small pieces of fabric, requiring a lot of effort to make one garment.
• 😀 With the invention of the 'Alat Tenun Bukan Mesin' (non-machine loom), songket production became more efficient, allowing longer lengths of fabric to be made more quickly.
• 😀 Today, songket weaving is not limited to Siak but is practiced in various districts across Riau province, each with its unique style and variations of motifs.
• 😀 Some common motifs in Riau Malay songket include clove flower, heavenly flower, umbrella, siku keluang (bat wing), mangosteen crown, cucumber flower, and wajik (diamond-shaped).

Q & A

What is the origin of songket weaving in Malay Riau?

Songket weaving in Malay Riau originated when a skilled artisan from the Terengganu Kingdom in Malaysia, named Won City binti Wan Karim, was brought to the Kingdom of Siak. She introduced the craft under the reign of Sultan Assyaidis Syarif Ali Abdul Jalil Syaifuddin, also known as Sultan Said Ali.

Who was Won City binti Wan Karim, and what role did she play in songket weaving?

Won City binti Wan Karim was a skilled and talented artisan who played a pivotal role in introducing and teaching the craft of songket weaving to the people of Siak. She was a central figure in the development of this tradition.

How did songket weaving spread to the broader community in Siak?

Songket weaving, which was initially reserved for royal families and nobility, gradually became integrated into the broader community's life. Over time, it evolved from a royal craft to one that was practiced more widely in Siak.

What materials were used in early songket weaving?

In the early stages, songket weaving utilized silk thread, which was combined with gold and silver threads. The materials were brought in by Chinese and Indian traders.

What led to the shift from silk thread to cotton thread in songket weaving?

The high cost of silk, gold, and silver threads led to the adoption of cotton or yarn as a more affordable alternative in the creation of songket fabric.

Who was Tengku Maharatu, and how did she contribute to the songket tradition?

Tengku Maharatu was the consort of Sultan Syarif Kasim Duo and showed a deep interest in preserving the songket tradition. She aimed to improve the lives of women in Siak by promoting the craft and ensuring its continuation.

How did the invention of the 'alat tenun bukan mesin' (manual weaving tool) impact songket production?

The invention of the 'alat tenun bukan mesin' significantly improved the production process by allowing weavers to produce longer pieces of songket fabric more quickly and efficiently compared to earlier wooden tools like the 'ukik.'

What types of motifs are found in Malay Riau songket?

Malay Riau songket features a variety of motifs, including 'Bunga Cengkeh' (Clove Flower), 'Kembang Kayangan' (Heavenly Flower), 'Payung Sekaki' (Single Umbrella), 'Siku Keluang' (Bat Wing), 'Tampuk Manggis' (Mangosteen Bud), 'Bunga Kundur' (Gourd Flower), and 'Wajik' (Diamond).

Why is songket considered a symbol of status and pride in Malay Riau?

Historically, songket was reserved for royalty and the noble class, making it a symbol of grandeur, status, and pride. It represented wealth and was used to mark special occasions and ceremonies.

How has the songket weaving tradition influenced the cultural identity of Malay Riau?

Songket weaving is deeply intertwined with the cultural identity of Malay Riau. The craft reflects the region's rich artistic and cultural heritage, and its motifs carry symbolic meanings tied to the community's history and traditions.