Trousers

Salnar

Note: The following text is taken from a 19th-century collection catalog and, in its language and perspective, partially reflects colonial thought patterns. We present the text in its original version to make the collection's history transparent and promote a critical examination of the colonial legacy. Certain terms and formulations may be perceived as problematic today. A 2009 research project concluded that most descriptions are factually correct and still usable; only a few details were found to be inaccurate or incorrect. The results of this project were published in the following collection catalog: https://khm-wmw-tm-library.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1457155265

"550. Trousers - "Salnar"
Like the previous ones, not made of silk but rather of brown and black striped very durable wool. Also woven by natives. On the lower part of the trousers on the inner side, there are diamond-shaped figures for decoration, made from appliquéd wool. As mentioned, trousers are worn by men and women; the upper body of the men is covered with small jackets of cotton, silk, European cloth or velvet. They are often decorated with sumptuous embroidery and diamond buttons. The upper body of the women is usually naked, only more or less covered by a salindang. The women also wear the salindang or sarong wrapped around their wide trousers at the hips, as the men do. The head of the man is covered with an Arabic cap or an Indian head cloth, while the women wear the salindang - as has already been described - wound around their heads."