Uniqueness of Malay Traditional Embroidery: Kelingkan

Abstract

Throughout history and due to its location, Malaysia has been a point of multiculture and rich history which promotes the development of traditional crafts and embroideries. Focusing on the Malay traditional gold thread embroidery known as the Kelingkan, this research investigates the subjects, motifs, stitching styles, materials use, and the applications of the embroidery. The research reveals that the Kelingkan embroidery took place from the periods of the Malacca sultanate and expanded through the different cultural backgrounds that developed a diversity of styles and characteristics. By field study and historical data collecting, the aim of the research was to investigate the development and to innovate Malay traditional embroidery especially the Kelingkan gold thread embroidery by interview and observation of the embroidery and the embroiderer which helps to build the data of embroidery originality and its innovations. Furthermore, through the data of the historical and the present Kelingkan embroidery, the research made a few improvements and experimentation of the tools and style of stitching for the benefit of its techniques and time consumed and to generate interest amongst young generations towards the traditional embroidery. Keywords