Women, weaving and markets
The east coast weavers of Kelantan and Terengganu continue to manually operate two-harness frame looms for the weaving of silk fabrics, including songket.
In 1838, Munshi Abdullah bin Abdul Kadir, a Malay writer, visited the east coast states of Terengganu, Kelantan and Pahang and described the production of silk sarongs as a vital and thriving industry. He observed that the rulers were always clad in silk fabrics, which were also a most important export item. Chinese silk yarn for the weaving industry was a principal import commodity. In contrast to most other industries, women played a more prominent role in the weaving industry.
- Information in the full article includes
- Centres of Malay weaving
- Female sovereigns, traders and weavers
- Division of labour based on gender
- Economic livehood
- The status of women
- The industry's decline