Malaysia has a long and varied history that has shaped the lives of its people. Home to a diverse range of cultures and races with their own distinctive styles of art, it is little wonder that the woven masterpieces in the National Textile Museum offer up a myriad of styles and designs – many of them brought over by migrants.

The building that houses the museum itself is a timeless piece of art. Built in 1905, the structure incorporates Indo-Saracenic Revival architecture influences and you’ll find its design akin to the stunning Sultan Abdul Samad Building. Consisting of four main galleries, each gallery narrates a story of the beliefs and values of the many races that make up the nation. The museum showcases the evolving processes and technology behind the creation of the many textiles that have been present in Malaysia’s history. Gaze at exclusive designs of batik, ceremonial cloths and songkets while you stroll through the musuem, and you’ll also come across multiple mannequins adorning many of the traditional attires native to the different ethnic groups in the country.

It is an enchanting way to return to the past, and to be reminded of the beauty and grace of tradition even as we move on into a more secular and globalised future.