A type of textile, commonly deep red in colour, influenced by the patola cloth from Gujerat, India. Derives from the Javanese word “gering” meaning “sick”. Patterns woven into it range from botanics to animals and supernatural creatures. Used in sacred rituals and royal ceremonies in Bali and Java, with influences reaching Japan, possibly via Okinawa. In the past, pieces of gerinsing cloth were cut and added into plain water to cure illness. The name is similar to garangsang, a Malaynised word referring to water blessed with prayer or cast with a spell.
To understand the occult practices of the Red Sash and the practice of invincible magic, considered deviant by the mainstream Malay Archipelago cultures when misused for bad intentions, see cindai, garangsang water, ilmu kebal (the invincible spell) gerinsing, the flying blades and Selepang Merah vigilantes.
Salina Christmas 