Songket is derived from the region of West Sumatra

pandai sikek

Producing kinds of woven fabric called songket is derived from the region of West Sumatra. Unlike more way of making with what we know painted batik. When we called Clever Sikek, usually the thought is songket. Yes, this place is already synonymous with songket. In fact, the man himself did not call it clever Sikek songket but weaving. The reason, which is referred to cotton yarn and gold thread which is woven by hand, on a device called panta to become fabric, cloth or fabric balapak bacatua used baralek pie, namely at the wedding.

tenun pandai sikek

When you look at history, there is no definite time when songket began to be developed in Minangkabau or at Clever Sikek. But the weaving skill of our ancestors have taken the nation which also called Austronesian or Malayo-Polynesian. In 1347 Adityawarman move the center of the kingdom and the Malay culture of Darmasyraya to Pagaruyung, and the area around Mount Merapi and Mount Singgalang which at that time comprised: LUHAK nan Tigo and the Seven Rantaunya Jurai, became known as Alam Minangkabau. Some central government spread in Pariangan, Tarok River, The Limo, Pagaruyung, Batipuh, Sumanik, Saruaso, Buo, Biaro, Payakumbuh, and others. Batipuh region, as one of the central government, the position of Mr. Tower Batipuh as Tiger Campo Koto Piliang, believed to be one very important area in the heyday Minangkabau first.
Simultaneously, the community mandapat also more opportunities for economic and cultural activities including weaving skills. The girls weave sarongs and tingkuluk with gold thread to use when they get married, and other women weave cloth for sale. According to Anwar adyan observations from House Weaving Pusako, Clever Sikek, tradition in Minangkabau encouraged to weave these activities further because on each occasion ceremonies, woven fabrics are always required to be used and presented. Dinukilkan customary words in the names of the motive until the fruit of lips and spoken at any time. Fabrics woven into clothing kings, progenitor-progenitor and deputy-deputy.
In this period, Ottoman Turkey and Central Asia to reach greatness. At the height of the greatness of the Mongol dynasty in India, Emperor Akbar (1556-1605) is to promote arts and sciences, Ming and Manchu rule in China's steady. When it is, trade and cultural exchange is very rapid and involves the Minangkabau as the area that became the path of trade and also the country that have a trade and an important commodity, namely spices and gold. Art weave fabric with silk and gold thread in Sumatra, along with suji and embroidery-even reached the peak of progress and discover its own trademark.
Almost all parts of Minangkabau, from LUHAK up to the shoreline, has a woven craft centers, suji and embroidery. There are still developing a style and characteristics of its own, it is highly controlled by the antique dealer and collector. Some villages are very famous with tenunnya cloth and very productive at that time is Koto Gadang, Sungayang, and Pitalah in Batipuh, and districts that continue the tradition of weaving legacy today is the village that includes Batipuh Sapuluh Koto also is Clever Sikek.
Motifs woven Clever Sikek always taken from the example of old fabrics that are still stored properly and is often used as clothing in traditional ceremonies and for other functions within the scope of traditional ceremonies, such as "tando" and also on display at the time batagak house (shower house).
Clever weaving motifs Sikek believed to be the original motifs on woven fabrics Sikek clever women in ancient times, whose name some still remembered by some elderly people who live now. In addition, Clever Sikek - as the "center of excellence" in the field songket that time - of course there are the women working on looms orders from other regions. Call it from Pitalah in Batipuah, Koto Gadang in Agam and from Sungayang. They are made with shades of yarn and patterns specific to the area. This is known until now as Sungayang motives, motives Koto Gadang and others.