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West Sumatra government identifies 800 traditional female costumes
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The traditional costumes are being documented in order to raise cultural awareness among the younger generation and preserve tradition. (Shutterstock/Chen WS)
W
est Sumatra provincial government has identified 800 types of Minangkabau traditional female costumes and will keep doing so to preserve the national culture.
“The findings on these Minangkabau traditional female costumes is surprising, as it reaches hundreds of types," said West Sumatra’s head of the cultural agency, Taufik Effendi, to Antara news agency in Padang on Monday,
According to Taufik, the staggering amount of costume types is because in each area in West Sumatra, there are different types of traditional female costumes. In one area alone, there are also different tribes that don different traditional female costumes.
The differences can be seen in the ornaments and accessories used in the costumes, as well as the headwear, locally called suntiang.
Read also: Contemporary Minang dance praised in Vienna
These types of traditional costumes are being documented to raise awareness among the younger generations and to keep them from falling into oblivion.
To date, 234 types of traditional female costumes have been documented, and the process will continue as the budget allows. It is hoped that in two or three years' time, all 800 types will be well documented.
West Sumatra Governor Irwan Prayitno supported the efforts by the cultural agency as cultural richness is closely connected with tourism, which can help boost locals’ welfare.
Aside from the traditional costumes, Irwan also pushed for the cultural agency to help preserve the Minang martial art, which is fading away. “We cannot let the art go extinct, as it is one of the Minang people’s culture,” he said. (asw)
