Caping / Modesty Disc

Caping or modesty disc believed to have been introduced in Malaysia since ancient Srivijaya empire, around the 7th century to the 13th century (Srivijaya or Sriwijaya was a powerful ancient Malay empire based on the island of Sumatra, modern day Indonesia, which influenced much of Southeast Asia). It is widely used by children in the North and the East coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The use of caping in other states is not really widespread. Children starts using caping when they are able to stand and walk, which is around the age of one year and above.

Ways to wear caping vary according to the status of the family. For the royal family, choosing the strings used to tie at the waist is important. White, yellow, red, green and purple strings are only reserved for the royalty, while ordinary people are strictly prohibited from using the yellow strings. As for the non-Malays, black strings are often used.

Although the ceremony of tying caping is usually performed by Bomoh or Shaman (The healers), people who knows about the ceremony can perform it too. The purpose of using caping is to protect the wearer from evil spirits.

Caping will only be removed when a child has the potential to wear clothes with their own abilities.

The use of caping is believed to be continued till the reign of Sultan Muhammad IV (1899-1920) in Kelantan. After that, capings are no longer in use.

Pictures below are the capings from my collection.

Caping 1
(Front)

Caping 1
(Reverse)

Caping 2
(Front)

Caping 2
(Reverse)

Below are another three capings believed to have been used by young girls in the Northern Thailand around 1900s-1950s. These modesty belts were made in Thailand. They represent a form of female children's dress which is common in the South and Southeast Asia, particularly in India, Indonesia and the Malay archipelago. The belts are believed to have been worn by young girls in Northern Thailand up until the age of puberty. They are made of fine silver chain with "Heater" shield-shaped wire mesh panels. The lower edge of the panels are in V-shape. A miniature silver plaque is soldered to the upper right corner of the mesh for caping 3 and upper left corner for caping 4. Also, the upper edge of the three capings are installed with a row of larger silver links threaded with a plain silver link chain together with a hook and ring fastening.

Wire Mesh Caping 3

Wire Mesh Caping 3

Wire Mesh Caping 4

Wire Mesh Caping 4

Wire Mesh Caping 5

Wire Mesh Caping 5