8 Indonesian Traditional Textile outside Batik

Have you ever wondered if there is any kind of Indonesian traditional textile that you can find while traveling in Indonesia? As a tropical country, you may be wondering if the country has some materials to make textiles. not only Batik but also other types. The country indeed has some of the traditional textiles which so far made in the traditional way.

Most Indonesian traditional textiles represent the richest culture of the original tribe in Indonesia that common wore in some traditional dances from Indonesian recognized by UNESCO. That is why most of them have a different pattern which brings a unique identity from every tribe who already made it.

If you are wondering what kind of Indonesian traditional textiles you can find in Indonesia outside the most popular Batik, here we have some of them below. Let’s check them out!

1. Kerawang Gayo

Kerawang Gayo is one of the most popular Indonesian traditional textiles that comes from the Gayo tribe in Aceh of North Sumatra. This kind of traditional textile has a sacred value that is commonly worn during specific ceremonies such as Indonesian wedding traditions or dances.

Kerawang Gayo is made of woven cotton that commonly has a different pattern that represents local tradition in the Aceh community. The textile also comes in a different pattern of color that brings a different meaning as well. Most of them represent a sign of courage which they call Mersik, diligence for the Lisik type, and prudence for the Urik type.

2. Ulos

Ulos is one of the most popular Indonesian traditional textiles that comes from the Batak tribe in North Sumatra. Most Batak people believe that they made Ulos around the 14th century, which brings the true identity of the Batak tribe as one of the largest ethnic groups in Indonesia.

Ulos is a common function of traditional clothes for the Batak tribe, which has a different function for every variant on it. Some of the most popular Ulos, such as Ulos Bolean and Ulos Antak Antak that has to be worn during mourning.

3. Songket Palembang

Songket Palembang is one of the most popular Indonesian traditional textiles that comes from Palembang in South Sumatra commonly available in some largest shopping malls in Indonesia. This kind of textile was made by woven from cotton, bark, and some natural materials such as palm leaves, banana leaves fiber, and pineapple leaves fiber.

Songket Palembang is known since around the 17th century and is used only worn by a member of the royal family in the Palembang Sultanate kingdom. There are so many variants of Songket Palembang that bring specific meanings, such as the Songket Lepus type that usually use for a dowry in most Palembang marriage traditions.

4. Kain Tapis Kapal

Kain Tapis Kapal is one of the most popular Indonesian traditional textiles that comes from Lampung in South Sumatra. This kind of traditional textile represents a harmonious living of nature, humans, and God. For Lampung people, this traditional textile has a sacred philosophy that could bring many pieces of luck to their life.

Kain Tapis Kapal contains three layers with a ship pattern as the main character of this kind of traditional textile. It is usually made of woven cotton embroidered by a gold thread as a unique accent on the pattern.

5. Tenun

Tenun is one of the most popular Indonesian traditional textiles that you can find in most Sulawesi and Kalimantan Islands, as it is made by most of those tribes. You can find some variants of Tenun, such as Tenun Donggala, Tenun Dayak, Tenun Buton, Tenun Ulap Boyo, and many more.

Tenun usually uses some natural materials made traditionally woven, such as Pandanus leaf fiber. Most of them bring different patterns with different meanings, which usually means a hope to get some piece of good luck in life.

6. Ikat

Ikat is one of the most popular Indonesian traditional textiles that you can find in most Flores tribes of East Nusa Tenggara. This kind of traditional textile represents a status caste in most Flores family systems, such as treasure, strength, and prestige.

Ikat commonly has a certain pattern that brings some piece of good luck to the owner who wore the textile. It can be for wealth purposes or other things but because the textile brings different status to them local Flores commonly believe it significantly.

7. Kewatek Nai Rua

Kewatek Nai Rua is one of the most popular Indonesian traditional textiles that comes from Lembata in East Nusa Tenggara, one of the most isolated tribes in Indonesia. This kind of textile usually wore by women and has a sacred value of textiles, which are commonly used as a dowry in the Lembata marriage tradition.

Kewatek Nai Rua has a complex fabricated woven that needs more than years to finish it. Because this kind of textile is made using a unique material of Noni roots or Tarum leaves that are only available in certain seasons in East Nusa Tenggara. Lembata people will make it traditionally which makes it longer than usual.

8. Lipa Sabbe

Lipa Sabbe is one of the most popular Indonesian traditional textiles that comes from the Bugis tribe in South Sulawesi. This kind of traditional textile is made of silk, which known since the nine century during the Sulawesi Sultanate kingdom exist.

Lipa Sabbe is fabricated in woven silk that comes with different patterns such as Ballo Makulu, Ballo Renni, Cabos, and Lagosi type. Most of them commonly wear by women as a symbol of sacred power and dignity.

So, there are some of the most popular Indonesian traditional textiles that you can find when traveling in Indonesia outside Batik. Have you ever seen them all? Tell us which one that becomes your favorite so far.