2. The men wear a loose shirt and wide trousers, a head cloth (Saluak Batimba), a chest cloth (Kaciak), and a traditional knife (Karih) placed in front of their body. The women wear a traditional costume called the Bundo Kanduang that consists of a head cover (Tengkuluk), a special dress (Baju Kurung), a chignon (Kodek-a roll of hair worn at the nape of the neck), a shawl (Salempang), and some jewelry.

3. The traditional Sumatran clothes are made of songket. The materials used to make songket are silk or cotton and gold or silver threads. The fabric to the right is a type of songket that represents bamboo sprouts.

4. Songket is sewn by hand. The main materials are silk or cotton. Gold or silver threads are woven in between the silk or cotton. The word “songket” originates from the Indonesian word “sungkit” meaning “to hook”. Making songket requires you to hook a group of threads and slip gold strands in it. The gold or silver strands allow you to make intricate patterns in the fabric.

6. In West Sumatra, Indonesia there is a tribe called the Minangkabau. The traditional clothes shown previously originated from the Minangkabau tribe. The leader of the tribe usually wears the Bundo Kanduang to indicate importance and significance. The traditional clothes of West Sumatra are worn on special occasions.