Basically Kebaya is a traditional blouse worn for women in the 15th century or 16th century. Usually made of thin material is paired with batik or other traditional knitted garment such as songket with a variety of motives. That said, Kebaya derived from the Arabic "abaya" which means clothes and was introduced by the Portuguese when they landed in Southeast Asia.
Prior to the entry of kebaya in Indonesia, women in Indonesia do not know the length of woven fabric. They still use the newfangled strapless dress as everyday wear. When the influx of Islamic culture in Indonesia, Kebaya came and shifting newfangled clothing tank. At that time, the kebaya is not notched follow the shape of the body, but a full length with long sleeves anyway.
Along with the times, kebaya worn by all women in Indonesia. The design also varied with modifications here and there. Kebaya is often used by the royal women using materials and elegant colors. As for the regular use of a coarse cotton cloth and traditional. Dutch nobility at that time also helped wear this dress to perform modifications like making kebaya with shorter sleeves. From there, the design elements of the European influence on the Kebaya.
In the early 1920s, the Indonesian nationalism bubbling. Many traditional organizations and formed the government at the time voiced the issue of nationalism. The political situation also affects the development of Kebaya at the time. Since then, Kebaya are considered posh by any indigenous struggle. Since that time, many of the Dutch nobility who left this dress because it was considered posh natives. Kebaya his nationalism was increasingly felt the eve of independence, the soul breathes nationalism and independence for women who wear it.
Since then Kebaya also often also associated with many moments that characterize the society traditionalism and nationalism values such as wedding dress, dress formal meeting of state to other important events that carry the image of Indonesia internationally. Various modifications and more traditional touch also accomplished by a variety of designers in the fashion world in Indonesia. Until now many emerging diverse kebaya with a variety of models and features.
Although Kebaya is the assimilation and modification of various tribes and ethnic entities that had come in Indonesia, but it is a pride for the women when wearing a Kebaya. Not just as a fashion entity, Kebaya already grounded and bring traditionalist values and national Indonesian soil. Not surprisingly, any woman wearing a kebaya, a reflection of Indonesian women.
