Asal Usul Baju Kurung

Tengah frust my baju raya isn't yet completed, suddenly I came across this article about how baju kurung was introduced into the Malay community. Haaa, lagi la frust! I want my baju kurung (modern) to be worn for raya. Tonight will get them from the tailor insyaAllah.

I've always like wearing baju kurung compared to kebaya, maybe because I'm too fat voluptuous and I need to hide those love handles curves from being exposed. Baju kurung has always been the most comfortable attire for me especially when worn to classes, and to work. My dad has always been a strict parent who will reprimand us whenever we wear something too revealing.I admit that during my teenage years, I sometimes wore revealing cloth especially when going out with friends as I've always wanted to fit in with the cool people. But of course I didn't wore them in front of my parents, I covered up with oversize cardigans and jacket in front of them.

Now that I'm a mother and a wife, adalah sedikit keinsafan not to wear such clothes anymore, especially with all these love handles, it'll definitely provide an eye-sore view for the onlookers. Haha..

Anyway, back to the main point for this entry, asal usul baju kurung. I got the story from here, I hope she wouldn't mind me copying the write up to share with readers of my blog.

The true meaning of baju "kurung" :

"Tuanku, pacal namakan busana yang pertama ini baju kurung. Boleh sahaja disediakan untuk lelaki mahupun perempuan. Tetapi, dengan sedikit perbezaan. Adapun pacal namakan baju kurung kerana pertama, busana ini dikurung oleh syarak. pakaian Melayu itu haruslah dikurung ketentuan syariat. Maka memang pacal rekakan pakaian ini supaya labuh, longgar, selesa dan tidak mengetam."

"Adapun kurung itu dikurung oleh adat. Manusia Melayu itu apabila mengenakan baju kurung, segera dia tahu membawa diri, menyesuaikan dengan tempat, tahu pula alat kelengkapan yang harus dipakai sama, tahu cara memakainya, dan wajib pula tahu apa makna dan tujuan mengenakannya"

"Pacal mengimpikan sejenis busana yang apabila dikenakan di badan si pemakainya terkurung dan terhindar sifat angkuh dan sombong. Oleh baju kurung itu sekali-kali si pemakainya tidak bercakap bohong dan apabila sudah berbaju kurung peliharalah iman supaya tidak terpesong"

It is true indeed, whenever I wear baju kurung it would bring a different feeling inside, unlike when I'm in my jeans and blouse.

And what's the motive behind the design, the men's baju kurung (also known as baju Melayu) has 5 buttons whilst the ladies kurung has one button?

".... Pacal membayangkan rumah butang yang lima itu maknanya rukun Islam..... Ampun Tuanku, pacal juga mengimpikan butang yang satu itu ialah lambang akidah kita. Kita mengesakan Allah yang satu....."

"Pacal bayangkan bumi ini bulat seperti mulut belanga (leher baju kurung) dan kita duduk di mukanya (butang nan satu yang mengancing leher baju) sebagai abdi Tuhan."

Now, wearing the attire will mean so much more to me as I now have the knowledge of why it was designed in such a way, in accordance to the Islamic teaching. And it has always been my view that baju kurung is the epitome of a true gadis melayu : penuh dengan sifat ketimuran.

Wallahua'alam.