Baju Raya or Baju Kurung?
Now that Ramadan has entered its second week, I can't help but notice the countless ads and promotions of baju raya on TV, newspapers, magazines and Facebook. I notice that somehow the baju kurung has lost its originality and losing popularity as the baju raya. Facts that don't really sit well with me.
Back when I was young, the baju kurung was the only baju raya that I knew. Occassionally, baju kebaya was also worn as baju raya but in Johor we used to be proud of the traditional baju kurung. Johor takes pride in its baju kurung Teluk Belanga, its distinctive style is known from the cutting style at the neck. The Teluk Belanga style has no collar and the neckline is stitched in the style known as tulang belut ("eel's spines or bones"). My mom used to sew our baju kurungs herself. She would spend hours stitching the seams, as well as stitching the tulang belut, a skill which I unfortunately didn't inherit. Sigh. Nowadays, it is difficult to find tailors willing to sew the baju kurung the traditional way. Double sigh.
Baju kurung, in those days, were longer and looser, and most came with a small pocket on one side of the baju, perfect to tuck in a handkerchief or some small change. The sarong was usually tied with a belt around the waist, with pleats on the left/right side. It can be made from any type of cloth, cotton was preferred back in the old days.
The traditonal baju kurung
The Teluk Belanga neck
I guess the baju kurung is perfectly suited to the concept of menutup aurat in Islam, provided it is worn with a headscarf or a hijab or whatever it is that people nowadays call the cloth that is used to conceal a woman's hair. But with the advent of modernity, the baju kurung has been modified, usually for the purposes of cutting short the time spent on sewing it and to flatter a woman's figure. Thus we have what is now known as baju kurung moden, a more figure-flattering baju kurung, sewn with a zip at the back. The long skirt that accompanies it is also sewn with a zip, to make it easier for women.
The baju kurung has indeed evolved, to keep up with current fashion and what not. Which is inevitable, I guess. But looking at the styles created by designers nowadays ....
Baju raya nowadays
I just got irritated when some people call these baju kurung. Just please don't call something what it isn't. If these are called baju raya, I can accept it. Baju raya means, baju that you wear on Hari Raya. There's a difference between baju kurung and baju raya. No matter how sophisticated or flattering these baju raya look, I still prefer the old baju kurung. It's simple and not too over-the-top. I prefer to celebrate my Raya this way. After all, Raya is a celebration steeped in tradition. I should hope so.
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