Southeast Asia / Malaysia
Malaysia
Malaysia’s textile heritage includes Songket, whose decorative gold or silver threads form patterns within the woven cloth. Malaysia’s Songket was inscribed by UNESCO in 2021.
Batik offers another expression through wax-resist dyeing. In Sarawak, Iban Pua Kumbu combines warp-ikat patterning with ceremonial meaning. These distinct traditions sit within a wider landscape of makers and labels across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.
Country chapter live · Partner submissions welcome
Featured traditions
A vocabulary of cloth.
- Songket
- Batik
- Pua Kumbu — Iban, Sarawak
These traditions introduce the country’s textile heritage. Individual partner collections are presented after review and agreement.
Regional chapters
A chapter shaped by its makers.
Partner locations, craft specialisms and collection stories will shape this chapter as it grows.
Partner submissions welcome
Bring your work into the conversation.
Introduce your business, your expertise and the pieces that define your collection. Selected profiles and collections will appear as partnerships are agreed and approved for publication.
Introduce your businessAn open invitation
If your country is not listed here, it is still welcome.
Zarbaft is building a portfolio across South and Southeast Asia. These country chapters are starting points. If you are a weaver, designer, textile house or private label working anywhere in the region, we would like to hear from you.
Introduce your business