What is Lurik?

Lurik comes from the Javanese word 'lorek' which means stripes. It is one of the many Indonesian weavings in danger of disappearing.

Tenun Lurik has its origin in ancient Java (Yogyakarta and Sukakarta/Solo) and was traditionally worn by rural Javanese men.

To create these beautiful Lurik fabrics, weavers use an 'ATBM' (alat tenun bukan mesin) which can be translated to 'weaving loom no machine' - so a non-machine weaving tool.

The hand weaving process takes a lot of patience, precision and dedication.

How is lurik made?

Step 1: Spinning

First, the yarns are dyed and sized. This process is really painstaking since it's important to ensure that all threads achieve the right hue.

After dying and sizing the yarns, they are spun to be untangled and twisted.

Step 2: Setting up the threads

The weavers then set up over 2,700 individual threads on a peddle-loom to achieve the desired pattern.

Step 3: Hand weaving with 'ATBM'

Now the weaving process begins. The equipment used in the hand weaving process is called 'ATMB' - a non-machine weaving tool.

Patterns & Symbolism

Pakan Malang

Pakan Malang is traditionally worn by staff working in Kraton (Sultan's Palace).

Telupat Lajur

Telupat Lajur has been designed by Sultan Hamengku Buwono I (1717-1792). When added together, the numbers three and four equal seven, a number representing perfection in the traditional Javanese belief system. It symbolizes 7 months of pregnancy which is needed to give birth to a child.