When Men Weave: Gender and the Sustainability of Pandai Sikek's Weaving Tradition

This study explores shifting gender roles in the traditional weaving practices of Pandai Sikek, a Minangkabau village in West Sumatra with a long-standing matrilineal heritage. Weaving has historically been a marker of femininity, as reflected in the local saying “malu gadang rasonyo kalau padusi ndak bisa batanun” (it feels shameful if a woman cannot weave). In recent years, however, the number of female weavers has declined significantly. Customary restrictions that limit weaving transmission to native-born women (anak nagari) have further constrained intergenerational continuity. In response, male weavers have begun to emerge, occupying a role once considered exclusively feminine. Using a short-term ethnographic approach, this study examines how men engage in weaving and how their participation redefines the cultural meanings of the practice. Data were collected through participant observation, interviews with male and female weavers, customary leaders, and document analysis. Findings indicate that male involvement is not merely practical but symbolic, reflecting broader transformations in gender identity and cultural sustainability. This study highlights how tradition in Pandai Sikek is not static but evolves through community adaptation to demographic and social change.