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Hand-woven fabrics have long become an integral part of Malaysian lifestyle. These artistic fabrics are used in daily life, as well as in formal functions and festive functions. Luxuriant gold-embroidered songket, colourful batik and Pahang’s silk-woven fabrics are still being produced in traditional manner."
Before the tradition dissolves into thin air, Pahang decided to establish the Pahang Weaving Centre (Pusat Pengembangan Tenun Pahang) in Kampung Soi, to not only keep the tradition alive by providing an outlet to purchase the beloved fabrics, but also a place where younger generation can learn to keep the thread of Tenun Pahang spinning.
The Pahang Weaving Centre was officiated in May 2009 by the Sultan of Pahang, Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, whom with his wife has taken a great interest and belief on the Centre and its contribution to the depleting industry and the state. To date, they still visit the Centre frequently to update themselves on the progress.
The arts of hand-weaving have originated from the Pahang Royal town, Pekan. In Pekan, the centre of hand-woven facility is in Kampung Soi. Kampung Soi plays a major role in the development of hand-woven products along with 6 other smaller hand-weaving facilities in the state of Pahang.
It is believed that the art of Tenun Pahang has been brought into the state from Riau or Sulawesi (Tanah Bugis) in the 16th century. The work of art was then introduced by a Bugis Aristocrat named Tuk Tuan (Keraing Aji) who lived in Kampung Mengkasar.
Pahang hand-woven fabrics are created by using a traditional loom called ‘Kek Siam’. The Design are characterised by the checkered patterns, arranged in such a way that the colour sequence can be changed intermittently from the vertical thread (warp) to the horizontal thread (weft). The price of each completed fabric would depend on the materials and thread used.
Today, the creation of these fabrics has been varied and adjusted to fit the local and foreign designers’ taste where the fabrics are designed for formal dinners, royal and wedding ceremonies and other important events. It has become a handicraft that is of high quality and demand.
Tenun Pahang also has a boutique gallery located in Kompleks Teruntum, Kuantan. The gallery opens from 11AM to 6PM (Mon-Fri), and 11AM till 5PM (Sat), and it’s closed on Sundays and public holidays. For more information, ring them up at +6 09 556 2344.
Last viewed - February 13, 2012
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