"kebaya" is symbol for emancipation of women in Indonesia

The origin of the word kebaya comes from the Arabic word "abaya" which means clothing. Its history, that kebaya is commonly used by the Javanese community. Kebaya is usually used for official events, but over time, European people who live on the island of Java, also use kebaya modified with a sarong.

Around 1500-1600, on the island of Java, kebaya was clothing worn only by the Javanese royal family. Kebaya is also clothing worn by the family of the Cirebon Sultanate, the Mataram Sultanate and its successor the Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Sultanate. Not only Javanese people who like kebaya many Dutch families also wear kebaya.

famous female figures wear kebaya namely R.A Kartini. In his portrait, he wears kebaya and sarong. Uniquely, by wearing kebaya, women are more elegant. And now, kebaya turns into traditional clothing that has many styles and models. From starting formal parties with business partners, weddings, celebrations of traditional events, to school graduation celebrations such as graduation.

Kebaya is used as the official uniform of Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, and Garuda Indonesia flight attendants. A number of designers who helped create new kebaya designs include Anne Avantie and Adjie Notonegoro.

In addition, the kebaya contains the value of obedience, refinement, and the attitude of women who must be very gentle. The use of cloth wrapped around the body also automatically makes the movement of women who wear it becomes limited and difficult to move quickly. This indicates that Javanese women are always synonymous with graceful personalities. People used to think that kebaya can only be used with women who wear a bun, now kebaya can be used for women who wear hijab. kebaya now, more often used at weddings.

Now, kebaya is famous in the world, and Indonesia is very proud to have very beautiful women's clothes. If Japan has a kimono, Korea has a hanbok, then Indonesia has a kebaya.

What do you think, about kebaya? what is the difference between the old kebaya and the kebaya model now? Do you like this??