SONGKET AND THE WARRIORS ATTIRE Presentation Synopsis 1. An introduction i. ii. iii. iv. v.

. What is a Songket Its origin - Songket weaving as a mark of influence of Chinese, Persian and or Indian culture Songket as a traditional hand weaved textile of the Malays The presence and significance of Songket since the Sriwijaya kingdom, Malacca & beyond Its material of choice silk and precious metallic yarn weave Its techniques the various difference stages in the production of a Songket Its spread within the Nusantara region regions from which the Songket is known to exist. Its sheer geographical stretch 2. Cultural Significance of the Songket Songket within the feudal social order i. The uses of the material The songket and the Malay traditional Malay attire. The waist cloth, the head wrap, the cummerbund the pants and blouse, the ii. iii. iv. weapons within it As a means of status display Songket and its hierarchical significance in feudal Malay society As a symbolic gesture of the bounds of oath & loyalty Songket as a mark of office and bounds of oath to the royal person 3. The traditional Malay Attire The origin of the attire i. ii. The influence of trade The inspiration of the Chinese and the Arab The Malaccan Sultanate The set canons of the Malay Sultans as a mark of regional hegemony and birth of a cultural distinction Its weave patterns and its significance Patterning and the meaning hidden

Understanding the traditional Malay attire i. ii.

The traditional Malay attire Its parts and significance

Style and significance Its manner of wear and symbolic power projection in feudal Malay culture

The attire & the weapons

1

SONGKET AND THE WARRIORS ATTIRE i. iii. The marriage of form, function and symbolism How the attire and the weapons design and use influence each other attire as weapon and shield 4. Conclusion Symbolism and significance i. Tradition, Culture & Civilisational significance The traditional attire and all it represents as a mark of civilisational significance and important cultural distinction The warrior ethos Attuning the traditional attire to the warrior culture. The

~ End ~

Presentation Plan Presentation 45 minutes Question & Answer 30 minutes Show & Tell 1hr minutes - Interaction with YKS members in full traditional garb and antique heritage weapon display