ikat geringsing

Bali – Indonesia

“A symbol of divine protection and a plea for the benevolence of Batara Indra, the creator.

The use of textiles in ceremonial contexts in Indonesia, particularly the double ikat cloths from Bali known as Geringsing, has deep symbolic significance. These cloths, which are kept intact until they are used in rituals such as weddings and first haircuts, represent protection from harm. The intricate double ikat technique used to create geringsing is exclusively practiced in the Balinese village of Tenganan Pageringsingan. These textiles play a crucial role in life-crisis ceremonies and are also utilized in various other ceremonies throughout Bali, including those for children, tooth filing, marriage, illness, death, and temple adornments. Geringsing exemplifies the craftsmanship of Indonesian double ikat and holds significance not only in Indonesia but also in India and Japan. It embodies the identity and religious values of the Tenganan community, signifying a special spiritual belief bestowed by the God Batara Indra, the creator. These textiles are draped around temple sculptures and used in remedies against lameness and insanity.

NOTE: All contents (text and images) are protected by Indonesian cultural property law. This documentation is intended for educational purposes and to support the preservation of Southeast Asian textile heritage. Any use of published materials is permitted only with attribution to this website as the original source.