- Baju Melayu
"Baju Melayu" is a traditional Malay outfit for men. It literally translates as 'Malay shirt' and consists of two main parts. The first being the "baju" (long sleeved shirt) itself which has a raised stiff collar known as the "cekak musang" collar (literally fox's lease). The second part is the trousers. The two parts are made out of the same type of fabric which is usually silk, cotton, or a mixture of polyester and cotton. A skirt-type adornment is also commonly worn with the Baju Melayu, which is either the "kain samping", made out of
songket cloth or the kain sarung, made out of cotton or a polyester mix. Both are loops of fabric which are folded around the wearer's waist. A jet-black or dark coloured headgear called thesongkok can also worn to complete the attire.In shirts made with the "cekak musang" collar, the
placket of the "baju" will seem to form a third of the "baju" from the top when it is worn beneath the "kain samping" or "kain sarung". However, the hem line of the "baju" actually runs to the middle of the lap. The placket typically has three to four buttonholes and is fastened together by dress studs called "kancing" which are not unlike those used in Western-style formal dress shirts. The studs usually have screw-in backs and can be made from a variety of materials including gold, silver and precious or semi-precious stones. The studs may also be connected with a light metal chain which will be concealed behind the shirt when the placket is fastened.In the state of
Johor , both the design and the wearing of Baju Melayu is somewhat different to that of other areas. Here, the "kain samping" or "kain sarung" is worn below the "baju" rather than above it. The "baju" itself does not have the "cekak musang" collar or any placket. Instead, the opening is hemmed with stiff stitching called "tulang belut" (literally eel's spine) and ends with a small loop at the top of one side to fit a singular "kancing" (similar to the collars of "Baju Kurung" worn by women). This style is known as the "Teluk Belanga" style and is said to be designed by Sultan Abu Bakar himself as a remembrance of the move of Johor's administrative capital from Teluk Belanga in Singapore to Tanjung Puteri in 1866 (today it is known as Johor Bahru). [http://www.pahang-delights.com/baju-melayu.html/ Retrieved on 20/5/2008]A black Baju Melayu with a black "kain samping" embroidered with gold thread is considered a form of formal dress, and is the official attire required during official national events, especially highly formal ones like the official celebration of the
Yang di-Pertuan Agong 's birthday. Malaysian ambassadors presenting their credentials to foreign heads of state are also required to wear the black Baju Melayu. The white Baju Melayu is worn by Malaysian royalty when mourning the passing away of a member of the royal family.The Baju Melayu is commonly worn in Malaysia and
Singapore by Malay men, although its use inSingapore is usually restricted to Fridays at mosques, and theEid ul-Fitr (Hari Raya) holiday. Malaysian men usually wear the shirt for general religious occasions, such as visiting the mosque or for a religious gathering. Some companies allow their male workers to wear Baju Melayu on Fridays, whereas others have it as a policy. On the whole Singaporeans frequently refer to it as a "Baju Kurung", although this term in Malaysia usually refers only to the corresponding outfit for women.In
Indonesia , both the Baju Melayu in both collar styles (and other Malay clothes such as Baju Kurung) is popular in provinces with large Malay populations such as Riau, the Riau Islands, West Kalimantan and a few other provinces. Recently, the Baju Melayu has become more popular and is not only worn at traditional events, but also in formal occasions. Government officers wear them proudly during official events (even national events). It is also worn as a uniform inSilat .The female version of the baju melayu is called the baju kurung.
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