120-year-old Traditional Kebaya Takes Centre Stage At Russia-Islamic World Kazan Forum
The rare garment, woven from pineapple fibre, a material now seldom used, symbolises the intricate craftsmanship and rich heritage of Malay culture.
More than a century old, the kebaya once belonged to a member of Negeri Sembilan's royal family and reflects the state's unique Adat Perpatih matrilineal customs, bringing this distinctive cultural identity onto the global stage.
Tuanku Ja'afar Royal Gallery curator Mohd Khairil Hisham Mohd Ashaari said the garment's presence at the forum resonated strongly with participants.
'It is not just a piece of clothing but a representation of modesty, elegance and the values of Muslimah fashion,' he explained.
The kebaya, alongside traditional accessories and songket textiles adorned with Bunga Lado motifs, symbolic floral designs of the southern state, were modelled by attendees in Kazan, drawing praise and admiration.
The forum itself gathered over 20,000 delegates from 87 countries, 87 Russian federal entities and more than 40 diplomatic missions, providing a vibrant platform for cultural exchange.
Mohd Khairil described the reception as encouraging, highlighting the potential for local heritage crafts to reach global markets.
'Our goal was to showcase Negeri Sembilan's cultural identity and sustain its heritage internationally,' he said, noting that this initiative also ties into the upcoming Visit Negeri Sembilan Year 2026 campaign.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Barnama
5 hours ago
- Barnama
72 Creative Works From Seven Nations On Display At MMU's INVENTX Exhibition
KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 (Bernama) -- An exhibition featuring 72 creative works from seven countries is being held at Multimedia University's (MMU) eGallery in Cyberjaya, reaffirming the role of Non-Traditional Research Outputs (NTROs) in academic discourse. The 3rd International INVENTX Creative Exhibition 2025, themed Sustainaissance: Emotion. Expression. Identity. runs until Aug 21 and showcases practice-based research contributions from Malaysia, Singapore, Poland, Vietnam, China, Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia. Organised by MMU's Faculty of Creative Multimedia (FCM), this year's edition is the most diverse to date and was launched by MMU president and chief executive officer Prof Datuk Dr Mazliham Mohd Su'ud, who also delivered a special poetic performance on July 21.

Barnama
6 hours ago
- Barnama
A Gift From ASEAN Exhibition Extended Until Dec 31 At National Art Gallery
KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 (Bernama) -- 'A Gift from ASEAN' exhibition at the National Art Gallery, initially scheduled to end this Thursday, has been extended until Dec 31 following an encouraging response from visitors. The gallery said the decision to extend the exhibition, which began in February, also aims to support the upcoming ASEAN Summit scheduled for October. 'This initiative reflects Malaysia's commitment to making arts and culture a core element in strengthening regional ties, as well as elevating the arts as an effective medium of cultural diplomacy,' it said in a statement today.

Barnama
8 hours ago
- Barnama
Taiping Air Festival 2.0 To Draw 50,000 Visitors, Expose Students To Aviation World
IPOH, July 29 (Bernama) -- The Taiping Air Festival 2.0 (FUT 2.0) which will take place from July 31 to August 3 at Tekah Airport, Taiping is expected to attract more than 50,000 visitors from home and abroad, making it one of the biggest air festivals this year. Project director Captain Syafiq Bahri said FUT 2.0 is a continuation of the success of the inaugural edition in 2024, which has opened a new chapter in efforts to introduce Taiping as a tourism destination based on international aviation and aerial recreation technology. 'Based on the success of gathering more than 10,000 visitors last year, we expect FUT 2.0 to exceed that figure by organising on a larger scale and involving government agencies, local communities and industry players. 'FUT 2.0 is also aligned with the goals of Perak Sejahtera 2030 and the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 campaign, making this festival one of the high-impact events in the country's tourism calendar,' he said when contacted by Bernama today. Syafiq said the festival also provided early exposure to youths, especially school students, on careers in the aviation industry through educational content such as career talks, interactive activities and flight simulations. 'More than 500 students are expected to attend sessions featuring speakers in the fields of engineering and pilot services. Other activities such as paper airplane building competitions, drawing and colouring with the concept of the world of air are also provided for them. "We are also offering a unique opportunity to students through joyrides using two types of aircraft, namely the Microlight and Cessna 172, which will give students the opportunity to experience flying in the Taiping airspace," he said. He said visitors would also have the chance to witness an exhibition of various types of aircraft involving nine to 10 models including the Viper, Cessna Caravan, Cessna 172, Mooney, Gyrocopter and several other light aircraft used in the training, recreational and professional sectors. Apart from that, Syafiq said the festival provided an opportunity for more than 100 local entrepreneurs comprising small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to generate income through the sale of food and beverages and clothing.