Malay Wisdom in the Motifs of Bamboo Shoots

¹ Department of Interior Architecture, School of Housing, Building and Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Minden, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
² Department of Interior Architecture, School of Housing, Building and Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Minden, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
³ Department of Interior Architecture, School of Housing, Building and Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Minden, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Abstract

The study aims to reveal Malay’s philosophical wisdom that is implied in Malay culture. Weaving is a part of Malay culture that is rich in historical and cultural value. Samples of the study are the ikat limar woven cloth, while the focus of the study is the bamboo shoots’ motif. Bamboo shoots are one of the motifs synonymous with the ikat limar weaving. The bamboo shoots’ motifs are located on the head of the sarong and on the edge of the shawl. Bamboo shoots in a tapered triangular shape is an implementation of the shape of the bamboo stems that appear from the culms. Bamboos are such a plant that brings a lot of benefits to the lives of the Malays from the shoots to the mature canes. The Malays often connect the bamboos with experiences, adulthood, beliefs, as well as pure values that shape the Malay ethos. Bamboo shoots are seen to own a broad sense of cultural philosophies that bring about the existence of sayings, expressions, poem, and figurative speeches. The objectives of the study are to explore the values of Malay wisdom in the motifs of bamboo shoots aside from introducing limar cloth as one of the heritages of Malay wisdom. The methods of the study are interviewing of the aesthetes, experts in textile field as well as those who are related to the textile and cultural field. The qualitative analysis will be used to combine the descriptions, analyses, and interpretations. Based on the outcome of the study, it will become a cultural document and source of reference for the young generations. This study also manages to attract outsiders to recognize and understand the Malay culture as well as getting to know the Malay nature realm.