Silungkang, a dragon or village in Sawahlunto City, West Sumatra, located around 79 kilometers from Padang City. The majority of people in the village are rice farmers and palawija. Former agricultural results in the village are marketed to another province even to Malaysia.
Around the 19th century, when a number of farmers marketed their agricultural outcomes to the Pahang area, they were interested in the loom song there. Saking is interested in, they take home to Silungkang and make a songket weaving yourself.
Songket weaving was originally a cultural art from China’s landland since 1000 years ago.
A craft asks thread before woven mnejadi Silungkang Songket fabric.
Perajin conducts the process of hauling is the manufacture of warp yarn for the need of weaving.
Then the Songket stops to Siam State (Thailand), spread to the Malaysian State Peninsula and Brunei Darussalam then crossed to Sumatra Island, Siak and Palembang.
Songket Silungkang Weaving contains the values of life in society. The values are sacred, beauty (seni), perseverance, accuracy and patience.
The distinctive feature of Songket Silungkang is located on its corak and motif. Motif Kaluak Paku, Pucuak Wednesdayang, Itiak Pulang Patang, Star, Buruang Merak, Rangkiang and Buruang In Rimbo became a motif made by craftsman.
The yarn coloring work will be woven into Silungkang Songket.
Perajin weave Songket Silungkang fabric.
Songket dye is poisoned from natural ingredients such as tree skin, crank skin, gambir leaf even coal. The natural coloring is considered to be able to produce a quality songket at once increasing the selling price. The basic weaving of Songket Silungkang is usually dark red, dark green or dark blue.
Although made with simple equipment, the beauty of Songket Silungkang is very high selling. Traders sell it from Rp350 thousand to Rp10 millions per strand, depending on the motives and materials.
Sawahlunto committee strives to conserve Silungkang songket looms regularly held the International Sawahlunto Songket Carnival (SISCA) every year and put it to the national agenda calendar.
Perajin weave Songket Silungkang fabric.
Perajin weave Songket Silungkang fabric.
Photo and Text: Iggoy el Fitra
Who employers show the Songket Silungkang fabric commonly purchased by its customers.
The entrepreneur showcases the Songket Silungkang which was sold at Sawahlunto International Songket Carnival 2020 exhibition.
The number of dancers using masks and fabrics made by Songket Silungkang when held by Sawahlunto International Songket Carnival 2020.
One model uses mask from Silungkang songket fabric when held by Sawahlunto International Songket Carnival 2020.
Editor: Widodo
