About the Event
How does a piece of cloth become part of one's identity?
Join museum docent and storyteller Hafiz Rashid as he shares his personal journey of falling in love with batik—from first encounters with the textile to years of research into its history, symbolism, and cultural significance, and eventually embracing batik and traditional dress as part of his everyday life.
Through stories and textile examples, discover what batik is, how it is made, and the symbolisms behind its motifs. Explore the many ways batik has been used across the Malay Archipelago, from daily wear to ceremonial and ritual occasions, and learn about Singapore's history of batik trade and production. Participants will also be invited to take part in an interactive segment exploring different ways of styling a sarong, offering a fresh perspective on batik as a living tradition that continues to evolve.
The programme concludes with a Q&A session, followed by an opportunity to get up close with a selection of batik textiles, tools, implements, and natural dye ingredients used in the batik-making process.
About the Speaker
Hafiz Rashid is an experienced museum docent and storyteller with a deep passion for the history, culture, folklore, and languages of the Nusantara (Malay Archipelago), with a special focus on textiles. Hence, he is often seen wearing these textiles in his tours and storytelling sessions, sharing the stories behind their motifs. He has been volunteering with the National Heritage Board since 2013 and has performed at various events and venues such as Storyfest at the Arts House and Singapore Heritagefest.
About this Series – Celebrate Singapore!
Celebrate Singapore in August as we delve into the wonderful things that make us Singaporean. Enjoy music performances by local groups, heritage talks on batik and kueh, and a workshop on the health benefits of local wild plants! View the full line-up of programmes here.
This programme is suitable for adults and…
