Author: M.A. Corazon Alejo-Hila, Mitzi Marie Aguilar Reyes & Anita Felio, 2008, 279pg. (English). Hardcover
Publisher: En Barong Philipino Inc., Manila, Philippines
The book presents a rich compendium of compelling insights. The term barong tagalog—the traditional formal shirt for men in the Philippines—signifies far more than mere attire; it embodies a cultural garment that accompanies Filipinos through pivotal stages of life, from birth to death. Although widely perceived as timeless, the designation barong tagalog was only formally coined in the early twentieth century, around 1920, evolving from the baro, a pre-colonial garment deeply rooted in indigenous sartorial traditions. A barong meticulously crafted from piña fabric and adorned with intricate hand embroidery exemplifies the pinnacle of artisanal skill, requiring no less than 462 days to complete. Such garments thus stand not only as markers of identity and heritage but also as enduring testaments to patience, craftsmanship, and cultural continuity.
Author: Himpunan Wastraprema 2010. 100pg. (Indonesian)
Publisher: UP Musium Seni, & Himpunan Wastraprema, Jakarta
This catalog is a companion to the exhibition “Baby Slings and Carriers of the Archipelago,” which was prominently featured in the Adiwastra Nusantara Exhibition held in 2010 at the Jakarta Convention Center. It emphasizes the essential role of carriers for both babies and market produce while also showcasing bags specifically designed for carrying betelnut. These items are crafted from an array of materials, including cotton, leaves, various fibers, and wood, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the Archipelago.
Author: Chizuko Morita. 2005, 95pg. (English and Japanese). Softcover
Publisher: Kodansha International, Tokyo, Japan
The author’s ideas have their roots in the Japanese furoshiki, an elegant cloth traditionally used for wrapping and carrying bundles. Wishing to adapt the centuries-old practice to today’s lifestyle, she devised a number of ingenious wrapping ideas, each illustrated with step-by-step photographs – and each simple, fascinating and fun.
Author: Susan Rodgers, Ann Summerfield. John Summerfield, 2007. 137pg. (English). Softcover.
Publisher: KITLV Press, Leiden, Netherlands
The volume Gold Cloths of Sumatra functions as a catalog for the 2007 exhibition of Sumatran songkets held at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. Its exposition of historical context and technical detail is lucid and engaging. The three authors extend beyond the scope of earlier nineteenth-century studies of Minangkabau masterpieces, illuminating both the geographical diffusion of production and the cultural resonance of songket for contemporary enthusiasts.
Author: Mona Lohanda, 2002, 272pg. (English). Softcover
Publisher: Yayasan Cipta Loka Caraka,Jakarta
Focusing on a particular segment of the Chinese community in Java—namely, the Indies-born peranakan—the author seeks to elucidate a distinctive cultural trait that significantly shaped Dutch ambivalence and indecision in managing Chinese affairs within the colony. Many Chinese peranakan cherished their sentimental ties to China, yet simultaneously identified themselves as children of Indonesia, the land of their birth. Despite their cultural distinctiveness, this dual orientation rendered Dutch policy toward the Chinese inconsistent and often contradictory.
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