The Malay Archipelago has always been
a magnet to migrants from all parts of Asia and the world. Traders and
adventurers from India and China began to settle in this region over 1,000
years ago. They brought along their culture and arts. Through time and cross-cultural
blending, a unique heritage emerged, including the art of weaving traditional
textiles and embroidery that is uniquely Malaysia. Using diverse forms,
techniques, embellishments and materials, various textile products were
produced.
60sen
· Cindai
Another unique textile is the Cindai.
Also known as Kain Limar in Malay and Patola in Hindi, this was brought to our
shores in the 15th century by Gujerati traders who were mostly Muslims. It was
brought to our shores during the time of the Melaka Sultanate. Highly detailed
it was weaved with high quality silk. The royal courts in the Malay kingdoms of
Melaka, Sumatera, Java and Brunei soon adopted it as part of their ceremonial
attire.
60sen
· Songket
The Songket of the East Coast of
Peninsula Malaysia is said to have Thai-Cambodian roots with clear
Indian-Chinese influences. Gold and silver threads were weaved into the silk or
cotton cloth which made it an exclusive item. The Songket with gold and silver
threads is usually weaved on a frame loom. But now more people are using the
flying shuttle which is also called Siamese loom. Up until the 20th century,
the Songket was only reserved for the nobility. Palaces and royal households employed
master weavers to make sure this remained so.
60sen
· Pua
Kumbu
The Pua Kumbu weaved by Dayak women of
Sarawak are used at various life-cycle events such as childbirths, the coming
of age, weddings and also deaths. It is also believed to possess powerful
spirits and is integral to the traditional rituals of the people. It is so
important to the Dayaks that every Dayak woman is expected to know how to weave
it. The Dayaks also produce the Anyam, a brocade cloth weaved with silver and
gold thread, similar to the Songket of the East Coast. In the Iban language pua
kumbu means grand blanket. This colourful and finely woven textile is made on
the simple backstrap loom.
60sen
· Chinese
Silk and Brocade
Home-made silk and cotton were part of
life in olden China. People of the time produced what they needed, including silk
and cotton cloth which they produced using the backstrap or frame loom. This
fabric with an ancient past has been produced throughout the various periods in
China’s long history. Broadly there are four styles of this intricately
embroidered needlework fabric - Yun (Nanjing), Shu (Chengdu), Song (Suzhun) and
Zhuang (Guangxi).
60sen
· Magavol
Women of the Rungus tribe (a sub-group
of the KadazanDusun tribe) are prolific weavers capable of producing finely
embroidered hand-woven cloth which they call Magavol. Mostly black it is
usually worn with other embellishments. To the Rungus black is the colour of
power. They also believe that black protects the wearer from evil spirits. The
natives of Sabah are also well-known for their head-cloth which goes by various
names such as Dastar, Sigal, Tubao, Tanjak and Padung.
RM3
& RM5 ·
The miniature sheets resemblance a robe
worn by China’s Qing Dynasty empress, pepicting a golden dragon embroidery in
the center. The design was reproduced
according to artworks collected in a book “The Art of the Dragon” by Yang Xin,
Li YiHua, and Xu NaiXiang, published by Shambhala Publications in 1988. The book presents a rich visual survey of
dragon imagery as it appears in bronzes, jade, lacquerware, pottery, porcelain,
painted silk, embroidered robes, carpets, furniture, and other art objects,
preserved in Beijing in the Forbidden City.
Technical Details
Date of Issue 12-Jan-2012
Stamps
Stamp Value : 60sen (Strip of five)
Stamp Sheet : 20 Stamps
Miniature Sheet
Value: RM3.00 & RM5.00
Paper : SPM Watermarked, Phosphor
Coated
Printing Process : Offset
Printer : National Security Printer
Stamp Designer : Peter Chuah / Orient
Communications
First Day Cover
50 Sen
Folder
RM5.50
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