Weaving is an integral part of Lombok society, especially for women, who often practise techniques and create designs handed down from their ancestors.
Traditional weaving and batik craft has survived on Lombok through the ages and, nowadays, is competing admirably in the modern world of fashion.
To prove it, dozens of graceful models saunter along the catwalk, taking turns to spread their garments to full effect before hundreds of pairs of eyes.
Few in the room are strangers to some batik and other clothing and accessories which have been created by a noted local designer. And people recognise typical batik motifs, such as one of spinach leaf.
On show are ranges of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) woven work clothes for men and women and batik fashion wear for men and women.
The occasion is the annual weaving and batik design competition of the National Crafts Council (Dekranasda) NTB, which this year attracted hundreds of fashion designers including some of national repute.
“At this event we are displaying three designs that all are based on patterns of the indigenous Sasak people of Lombok,” said Dekranasda West Lombok representative Muslihan.
Also at Mataram’s Hotel Grand Legi ballroom for the October event, aimed at publicising and attracting wider markets for Lombok’s woven products and batik, were Governor Zainul Majdi and representatives of Indonesia’s Trade Ministry.
Interest was high in the build-up to the long-awaited moment at which Dompu district was judged overall champion for its work with Sasambo (a word representing NTB’s ethnic Sasak, Samawa and Mbojo people) batik for men’s wear. Dompu was successful in three categories of work clothes for men.
“We dedicate this victory to all lovers of cloth and batik in our county,” said Dekranasda Dompu chairman Ery Eryani.
In its regional development master plan, NTB has identified the development of creative industries which produce superior products, such as woven and batik goods, as a mean of supporting the priority regional objective of tourism development.
Already, some NTB villages have developed their traditional activities such as weaving to become recognised as leading production centres which attract tourists and benefit community welfare.
“There are 14 sectors of the creative economy that have big advantages and two of them are fashion and woven crafts,” said Dekranasda NTB chairman Zainul Majdi Rabiatul Adawiyah, who is the Governor’s wife. “We are maximising both.”
Earlier this year, the NTB branch of Dekranasda was named third national champion at a modern ethnic weaving competition attended by designers of traditional woven fabrics from all 33 Indonesian provinces.
The competition in Jakarta was conducted simultaneously with a weaving exhibition and fashion show to celebrate the 31st anniversary of the National Crafts Council.
NTB gained third place after Kalimantan and Central Java with its distinctive and exotic woven fabrics from the renowned craft villages of Gumise and Sukarara.
Aspects of judging included authenticity of the product, fusion between traditional local motifs and modernity, and the responsiveness of the design to existing market opportunities.
Being named third national champion was a source of pride for Dekranasda NTB which takes quality local craft products to regional and national events where they gain market exposure and craftsmen can exchange information with their colleagues from other regions.
Earlier this year NTB was chosen, along with West Java, Yogyakarta and Bali, to present its characteristic ketak and cukli woven work at a major Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) exhibition in Tokyo.
source:enchanting-lomboksumbawa.com
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