gading

Gading is a term used in Indonesian and Malay to denote ivory, the material formed by elephant tusks and, less commonly, tusks of other animals. The word refers both to the tusk itself and to the carved or worked material. In traditional crafts, gading has been used for religious icons, decorative carvings, jewelry, and small artifacts, as well as historically for piano keys and knife handles in some regions.

The trade in gading has long been a major conservation concern because poaching has driven declines in elephant populations. International trade in ivory is subject to the controls of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), and many countries enforce strict bans or licensing regimes. Some jurisdictions permit trade only in antiques or pre-existing stock, with verification requirements. Conservation groups emphasize reducing demand for ivory and curbing illegal markets.

As a result, many artisans and buyers increasingly turn to substitutes such as bone, resin, or other sustainable materials. In modern contexts, gading remains a sensitive symbol of wildlife exploitation and a focal point in legal and ethical debates surrounding wildlife trade.