- ENDEK clothes look so elegant and feel convenient to be used, so it’s no wonder if this Balinese traditional cloth can be used on every occasion, not only for fashion of praying to temple but also for daily use at office et cetera.
Talking about traditional clothes, Bali has several types such as endek, songket, rangrang, prada and gringsing. Endek clothes, for example, have been very popular for everyday use, especially for clothes for praying to temple. This endek has been growing since 1985.
In harmony with the passage of time and people’s creativity, the use of endek clothes has expanded and penetrated into the fashion sector. Endek fabrics with various motifs and colors are now used to make shirts, safaris, dresses, formal clothes for the office. Even endek fabrics are also used to give lovely accent of bags, shoes, sandals, wallets and the like.
Dekranasda Bali
The Regional National Crafts Council (Dekranas) of Bali Chapter is very active and concerned about developing, fostering MSME artisans and promoting various Balinese traditional fabrics, including this endek.
In December 2020, these Balinese endek fabrics were involved in a special fashion show highlighting the collection of the Christian Dior fashion house in the Spring/Summer 2021. So, out of a total of 86 designs in the collection, there were 9 designs using endek cloth motifs.
Then in early April 2023, Dekranasda Bali brought endek fabrics and various Balinese MSME products to Tokyo, Japan to be showcased in a fashion show entitled The Tales of Bali’s Wastra or in Japanese Wasutora No Monogatari at the invitation of the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo.
Where to buy it?
Balinese endek fabrics are now sold in many places, such as souvenir shops, art shops, boutiques, art markets to traditional markets in Bali. Several centers selling traditional woven fabrics that are often visited by tourists are cloth shops along Jalan Sulawesi Denpasar, Sukawati Art Market and Semarapura Art Market (east of Kertagosa).
Meanwhile, several centers for traditional weaving craftsmen who make this endek fabrics are Kamasan Village (Klungkung) and Sidemen Village (Karangasem). Here visitors can see up close the local people weaving traditionally or with ATBM or Non-Mechanical Loom. (*)
