Kemben
/ˈkɛm.bən/noun
A traditional Javanese cloth garment wrapped around the torso, typically covering the breasts and upper body.
Did you know?The kemben remains strongly associated with Javanese court culture, dance, weddings, and ceremonial dress, especially in Central Java and Yogyakarta.
Etymological Timeline
Early Austronesian period
Proto-Malayic
*kambaŋ
“A reconstructed root associated with swelling, unfolding, or blossoming; the exact connection to kemben is not certain.”
Classical Javanese
Old Javanese
kemban
“A cloth or covering wrapped around the upper body; related forms also carried meanings connected with swelling or expansion.”
Pre-modern Javanese
Javanese
kemben
“A woman's breast cloth or torso wrap, especially in traditional dress.”
19th Century
Malay/Indonesian
kemben
“A traditional cloth garment worn around the breasts and upper torso.”
Modern English
English
kemben
“A Javanese traditional breast cloth or bodice, used mainly in ethnographic, fashion, and cultural writing.”
Explore more surprising origins