12/02/2026
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Sumptuous textiles have always had a special significance in Malay culture, upholding long-standing traditions and playing a central role in ceremonies and rituals. Decorated fabrics such as this 𝘬𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘬𝘢𝘯 illustrate how Malay textile culture has evolved through interactions between local embroiderers and the wider world.
According to the late Azah Aziz, a prominent Malaysian expert on Malay textiles, the word ‘kelingkan’ may have originated from the French term 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘯𝘵, meaning ‘glittering’. This shawl is embroidered with a floral pattern known as the 𝘴𝘦𝘬𝘢𝘬𝘪 𝘣𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘢 (floral stalk) motif. Kelingkan shawls were commonly worn by female Malay royalty in Selangor, Perak, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu during ceremonial occasions.
To learn more about the luxurious craftsmanship of Malay textiles, get your copy of ‘𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗶𝘁𝘆: 𝗪𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝗮’ from or order online: https://shop.iamm.org.my/product/museum-publication-tradition-and-continuity-woven-and-decorated-textiles-of-the-malay-peninsula and visit ‘𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗮: 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱’ exhibition which opens tomorrow 12th December 2025.
Picture: Tengku Permaisuri Perak Che Uteh Mariah binti Haji Sulaiman, the second wife of Sultan Idris I, 1924, wearing a 𝘬𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘬𝘢𝘯 shawl.
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