Sumatran, Sumatra

Ikat, the Indonesian term for "to tie," describes a method of resist dyeing yarns to create pattern prior to weaving the cloth. Ikat requires incredible skill and knowledge and is often practiced by one family over many generations. The maker can tie and dye warp or weft yarns, or both, which is known as double ikat (geringsing) in Indonesian. India originally introduced double-ikat cloths, or patola, to South East Asia in the 4th century. Patola were imbued with protective and magical qualities, making them the most prized textiles in all of South East Asia. By the 17th century Dutch traders followed the Indian model and soon dominated the patola trade to Indonesia. There are only three places in the world today where double ikat is produced: India, Japan, and Bali.