Riau Traditional Clothing

Malay is the largest ethnic group in Riau province. So don't be surprised if traditional clothes from Riau province comes from Malay.

The customs of the Malay community combine with the values ​​of Islamic teachings which have their own cultural characteristics.

There are various kinds of traditional clothes from Riau that you must know, learn, and preserve.

For more details about what traditional clothes from Riau are, their history, uniqueness, and philosophy, as well as their values, you can listen to this article carefully.

History of Riau Traditional Clothing

Traditional clothing is one of the symbols that can mark the development, acculturation, and distinctiveness of a culture.

Traditional clothing can also be a marker of the identity of a community in an area. Including traditional clothing in the province of Riau.

Basically all Riau people still hold indigenous influences.

This can be felt in the attitudes and behavior of the majority of the people. Especially rural or remote communities.

The people of the Riau province strongly adhere to Malay customs which are accompanied by Islamic norms.

Therefore, Riau traditional clothing is the result of a combination of Malay and Islam.

This traditional clothing can give its own spirit for the wearer.

It is this spirit that surrounds the values ​​of gratitude and honesty in living in Riau society and becomes the philosophy of Riau Malay traditional clothing.

In addition, this traditional clothing can also beautify the appearance of the wearer.

List of Riau Traditional Clothing

Riau traditional clothing consists of various types. This type of clothing depends on several things, including the following:

1. Depends on the situation and condition of the user.
2. Depends on the activities to be done.

This Riau traditional clothing also has traditional values, religion, models or styles that are very in line with the culture of the Indonesian people.

Closed and long clothes are characteristic of Riau traditional clothes. These characteristics can represent the values ​​of politeness that are upheld by the local community.

The typical model of Riau traditional clothing is also very simple. Thus, this dress is very closely related to the Malay style.

This distinctive style of traditional clothing also has strong similarities with the Malay tradition, such as wearing a sarong and a long, wide skirt.

In addition, clothes with a high collar and looser are also very familiar with the Malay tradition.

Traditional clothes for men and women also have similarities that don't forget to be equipped with accessories that are not much different.

Here are the names of traditional clothes from the province of Riau that you should know:

1. Formal Traditional Clothing

Official traditional clothes are clothes that are only used when conducting official meetings or visits with other kingdoms.

And for now this official traditional dress is used at official government events.

The official traditional attire for men is the Baju Kurung Cekak Musang combined with a sarong and skullcap.

The Kurung Cekak Musang shirt is made of high-quality materials, such as silk or satin.

Meanwhile, the official traditional dress for women is Kebaya Laboh.

The Laboh kebaya is made from the basic ingredients of typical woven fabrics woven by people in several areas of Riau, such as Siak, Indragini, Trengganu, and other communities.

There are differences in kebaya according to the age of the wearer, namely:

• Kebaya with a length of up to 3 fingers below the knee is a kebaya used by middle-aged women.
• Kebaya with a length of up to 3 fingers above the knee is a kebaya used by virgin women or girls.

2. Traditional Ceremonial Clothes

Traditional ceremonial clothes are clothes that can only be used during traditional ceremonies.

The ceremonies are the inauguration ceremony, the coronation ceremony of the king, the reception ceremony, the award acceptance ceremony, and other ceremonies.

For men, they wear the Baju Kurung Cekak Musang combined with a sarong and skullcap.

Meanwhile, the traditional clothing for women is the Bone Eel Kurung shirt or the Laboh Cekak Musang Kebaya shirt combined with a typical Islamic headscarf or headscarf.

3. Wedding Ceremony Clothes

Wedding ceremonial clothes are clothes that can only be used at the time of a wedding.

The outfit for the groom is the Baju Kurung Cekak Musang combined with a sarong and skullcap.

To make it look more festive, the groom also uses several accessories to support his appearance, namely:

• Crown on head.
• Sebai with yellow color on the left shoulder.
• Pointed shoes.
• Canggai on the little finger.
• The keris is in the form of a serindit bird's head which is placed on the left waist

Meanwhile, the clothes used by the bride are not only one, depending on the type of ceremony being carried out.

Here are the clothes for the bride and the ceremony carried out:

• Belangan Bay Brackets; used during the night ceremony.
• Baju Kurung Cekak short kebaya; used during the bathing ceremony.
• Laboh Kebaya; used during the ceremonial side by side.

4. Riau Traditional Clothing Pakaian

Riau's traditional traditional clothing is named Teluk Belanga. Teluk Belanga also consists of 2 clothes, namely for men and for women.

Clothing for men is a tight braced shirt and paired with trousers.

Don't forget Riau men also wear cloth made of woven with motifs typical of Malay culture and also skullcap.

While the clothes for women are anchor brackets with songket or cloth of choice.

To add to the impression of Islam, Riau women also wear headscarves wrapped around their necks to cover their hair.

5. Parent's Traditional Clothes

Parents' traditional clothes are clothes used by someone who is long-lived or middle-aged as daily clothing.

Male parents wear Baju Kurung Cekak Musang or Baju Kurung Teluk Belanga which are made of lejo or cotton cloth.

The two clothes are not much different and have Islamic values.

While the female parents wear the Teluk Belanga Bracket, Short Kebaya, and Laboh Kebaya.

They wear the clothes complete with scarves. The scarf serves as a veil or hijab to cover the hair.

6. Adult Traditional Clothing

Adult traditional clothes are clothes used by someone who is an adult as daily clothing.

Traditional clothes for adults have religious and cultural values.

For men, they wear traditional clothes called Baju Kurung Cekak Musang combined with loose trousers.

Don't forget the Malay men use sarongs and skullcaps to complete the look.

As for women, they use 3 different types of clothing.

The 3 types of clothing are Short Kebaya Shirt, Kurung Laboh Shirt, and Eel Bone Bracket Dress which are used together with a shawl as a veil or hijab.

7. Children's Traditional Clothing

Children's traditional clothes are clothes used by children as daily clothes.

Traditional clothes for boys called Monkey Clothes.

The monkey shirt is combined with a type of long pants that are full of responsibility with kopyah or rectangular cloth as a head cover.

While the traditional clothing for girls is called Baju Kurung which has floral motifs.

The Kurung shirt is combined with a wide skirt with a headscarf or veil.

The Uniqueness & Philosophy of Riau Traditional Clothing Colors

Traditional clothing always has its own meaning and philosophy that every Indonesian nation must know.

The philosophy of Riau traditional clothing is in the color. Each color has its own meaning.

Here are the colors and philosophies of Riau's traditional clothes:

1. Black; symbolizes loyalty, steadfastness, honesty, and responsibility.
   Black dresses are often worn by great people in the Kingdom in big events or Royal ceremonies.
2. Blood Red; symbolizes heroism, courage, obedience and loyalty to the King and the people.
3. Red; has meaning for the society of brilliance.
4. Golden Yellow; symbolizes greatness, authority, and splendor.
   The people who have the right to wear this color are the Sultans or Kings of the Malay kingdoms.
5. Moss green; symbolizes fertility, loyalty, obedience and obedience to religious teachings.
   The color of moss green clothes is often worn by the nobility, Tengku, and Wan.

Values ​​in Riau Traditional Clothing

Traditional clothing from Riau also has aesthetic value contained in it.

Aesthetic values ​​in Riau traditional clothing include the following:

1. Social Value

Riau traditional clothes become a symbol or marker of the social status of the people. This traditional clothing is a medium to unite the community.

2. Culture value

Traditional clothing is one of the products of modern culture which is getting more and more models.

Traditional clothing from Riau is a cultural heritage from our ancestors that must be preserved.

Preserving traditional clothing is tantamount to preserving the richness of Malay culture that has been passed down from generation to generation since ancient times.

3. Tradition Value

Traditional clothing used in traditional ceremonies has been a tradition for years from generation to generation.

This tradition has become the hallmark of the uniqueness and community that exists in Riau Malay society.

From the traditional clothes worn, you can learn about the traditions of the community concerned with these traditional clothes.

Conclusion

The traditional values ​​of Malay and Islam are reflected in the traditional clothes of the Riau people which are used in daily activities.

Thus, the people of Riau have a strong culture with religious values ​​and customs that color their lives.

And we, as good Indonesians, need to follow the example of the people of Riau so that our culture remains sustainable even though it is eaten by the times.