Motifs and Colours of Endek Ikat Weaving

ABSTRACT: This research analyzes the motif and colour of endek as one of the Balinese traditional ikat weaving cloth (ikat in Indonesian Language means bind). Endek is produced by tying strands of thread using a non-machine traditional equipment. The methods used for data collection are observation and in-depth interview. The analysis focuses on the meaning represented on each varied motif and colour. Semantic and Semiotic theories are applied for analysing the meaning of endek motif and colour. Results of the analysis showed that unique and specific motif and colour of endek ikat weaving represented the meaning of appreciating nature, culture, and philosophy. The varied motif and colour can not be argued as the belonging to a certain region in Bali because the various existed motif and colour refer to the same sources like the universe, Hindu Religion, tradition, and culture. The variety of endek motif and colour cannot neither be recognized as the belonging to a certain designer nor industry. It is because of the motif and colour creation is strongly influenced by how creative an ikat weaving designer is by utilizing the available sources that he or she refers to. Motif and colour creativity of endek ikat weaving is influenced each other among the designer so that there is not any typical motif and colour belongs to a certain ikat weaving industry or region in the meantime imitating activities often occur