Teknologi Warna Alam Melayu

Abstract

Dye technology has been mastered in the Malay Archipelago. Sources verifying the availability of dyes and its use on textiles are quoted from classical Malay literature. The main colours found in the Malay Archipelago are white, black, red and yellow. Red dye, obtained from kesumba and mengkudu is thought to be the existential colour of the Malays and is the most frequently cited colour in the literature. All dyes were obtained from natural resources. Dyeing as well as extraction technologies were discussed. Dyeing technology utilised immersion in solution whilst extraction of dyes was by leaching. Suggestions on further research so as to ensure the continuity of the technology were made and discussed.

ABSTRAK

Teknologi warna sudah lama dikuasai di Alam Melayu. Sumber kewujudan bahan warna dan penggunaan warna dalam tekstil dipetik daripada kesusasteraan Melayu klasik. Warna utama dalam Alam Melayu ialah putih, hitam, merah dan kuning. Merah daripada kesumba dan mengkudu melambangkan warna jati diri orang Melayu dan warna inilah yang paling banyak disebut dalam sumber tertulis atau lisan. Kesemua bahan pewarna yang dibincang diperolehi daripada bahan alam. Teknologi mewarna serta teknologi ekstraksi dibincang. Teknologi mewarna ialah dengan kaedah celupan serta teknologi ekrtraksi pula ialah kaedah pengurasan bahan alam. Cadangan kajian untuk meneruskan kesinambungan teknologi ini juga dikemukakan.