What is Sarong? Traditional Sarong Explained

What is Sarong?

It is a wrapped garment worn around the waist. The fabric used commonly for it is Cotton voile or Polished cotton. It is usually accompanied by plaid or checkered patterns or could be brightly colored batik or ikat dying. This is often worn as beachwear in now a days. In India, Sarong is commonly called Lungi or Mundu which is usually worn by men, This wrapped garment is worn by men, women as well as kids in Malaysia, Indonesia and Pacific Island but in morden time Sarong changed its identity. Sarong now a days are not only worn around waist but worn as dresses as well, with changing time styles of Sarong is changing as well. This is often worn by both men and women in Asia, the Arab peninsula and the horn of Africa. In some parts of globe, Sarong is attached with a historical belief.

Such as in Malay, men wear Sarongs (usually checkered) when attending Friday prayers at mosque and other side sarong is very comman casual wear at home for men in all religions. Malay women commonly wear sarong with `Kebaya`, it’s a kind of blouse in formal wear. It is also worn in Sri Lanka traditionally worn by me usually within the home as it signifies lower class status there. In Saudi Arabia, Sarongs are usually referred as Izaars, whereas in Oman they are known as Wizaars, In East Africa sarongs worn by men are often called Kangas, and that worn by women is called Kikois. Generally thin and light fabric for decoration fringes added in both sides. Long Thin strips are tied together for preventing the wrap from falling down. Now a days it is also printed in beach scenes or geometric patterns.

This is generally worn in areas where heat and humidity creates an unpleasant weather for wearing trousers.   Sarong is very common & comfortable garment for men in all over Asia & Africa, it is also very famous in every religions commonly in house  somewhere it is worn on special occasions or in prayers also. In Arabian peninsula sarong comes before introduction of pants or pyajama or stitched wear, they used it as night wear also. Many tribal groups has own style of sarong which is generally woven. Tribal groups have their own style to wear it so that they seem different from other tribal group some wear locally woven, some add tussles or fringes, draping style would change in each group some wear  till knee some ankle length some wear asymmetrical. Traditional sarong is generally created in consists of length of fabric about a yard wide and two and a half yards longs.   

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