The Balinese Cloths Ikat

Some of the best known traditional Balinese cloths include ikat (a Malay word meaning to tie or bind), an ancient technique where a motif is dyed into the threads of ikat, two of which are found in Bali. The first kind is "warp ikat", usually woven in silk. Found in many parts of Bali, it is usually used to make saput, outer sarongs, or the scarves worn on ceremonial occasions. The Indian patola textiles have influenced the designs and motifs, which the Balinese have redesigned with more abstract patterns, creating new variations.

Certainly the most famous ikt in Bali is the geringsing, only woven in a tiny village of Bali Aga called Tenganan. Here the ikat pattern is created in both the warp and welt threads. This process, known as "double ikat", is difficult, requiring both expertise and patience to align the two patterns.

Photos

See also other Balinese Textiles : Balinese Cloth Ikat  Balinese Cloth Geringsing Balinese Cloth Songket Balinese Cloth Prada  Balinese Cloth Pelangi Balinese Cloth Batik

The Balinese Textiles

The sheer beauty and artistry of traditional Balinese textiles have made them famous throughout the world. since  time immemorial, traditional Balinese textiles have played a major role in the daily life and ceremonies of the Balinese people. Not only are they used to male clothes but they are also status symbols and an indicator of the wearer's station in life.

In the past, women from royal families competed with each other to create the most dazzling textiles using sumptuous materials. It was also believed that textiles were endowed with supernatural powers that protected the wearer from evil influences. they also function as a link between the present and the next world in religious festivals. For example in cremations, hundreds of meters of expensive cloth were turned to ashes to accompany the soul of the dead in its journey to the next world.

The womenfolk of Bali are the keepers of the knowledge of making textiles, which are handed down from one generation to another. Such knowledge included the secret ingredients of certain dyes and a vast collection of sacred motifs. As important duty of a Balinese mother is to pass her precious knowledge of textiles of her daughter.

Balinese Traditional Cloth

1. Cloths Ikat	2. Cloths Geringsing
3. Cloths Songket	4. Cloths Prada
5. Cloths Pelangi	6. Cloths Balinese Batik

The Balinese Kebyar Duduk Dances

The renewal of the dance creativity, producing dances that are still the most popular in Bali: short but spectacular non-narrative dances inspired by the dynamism of  the gong kebyar, a gamelan orchestra originating from Northern Bali. The most famous are the kebyar duduk and kebyar tropong. The two dances were created by Mario, a Balinese dance genius from this century. they are display of suppleness and virtuosity, particularly the kebyar tropong, with the dancer playing the tropong instrument while dancing.

Photos 

See also other Balinese Dances: Balinese Kecak Dances  Balinese Barong Dances Balinese Pendet&Panyembrama Dances Balinese Kebyar Duduk Dances Balinese Joged Bumbung Dances  Balinese Topeng Dances Balinese Legong Keraton Dances Balinese Gambuh Dances Balinese Wayang Dances  Balinese Shadow Puppet Dances