KUCHING: The beautiful and unique Tenun Manik Shawl, Woven Bottle, Bamboo Gift Box, Stainless Steel Sintong and Coiled Rattan Placemat, all of which were masterfully crafted by local artisans from Betong have won international acclaim.
The creations won the World Craft Council Asia Pacific Region’s (WCC-APR) Award of Excellence for Handicrafts 2024.
The awards were presented during the Borneo Craft Global Expo and Conference 2024 on Nov 29.
Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah presented the awards, witnessed by WCC APR president Aziz Murtazaev.
The winning creations were a result of collaboration between the Ranee of Sarawak brand and women bureaus of several longhouses in the Betong Division, showcasing a blend of cultural heritage and contemporary artistry.
The Tenun Manik Shawl, created in partnership with the Rumah (Rh) Gensurai Women Bureau in Layar, is a piece which reimagines the Iban Pua Kumbu.
It is about the meeting of two tribes from Sarawak and Laos – coming from different cultural backgrounds yet sharing in the traditions of weaving, bonding over the exchange of traditional knowledge and skills.
The result was an exquisitely crafted contemporary interpretation of the Iban Pua Kumbu.
In addition, the creations by the Women Bureau of Rh Merunjau, Padeh, captured the judges’ attention with two remarkable creations.
The Woven Bottle, crafted from recycled discarded bottles, is both an artistic and sustainable achievement. It is an aesthetically beautiful woven vessel for flowers, decoration, or even as a liquid container.
Their second winning entry, the Bamboo Gift Box, is a modern container using original basketry and mat weaving skills.
Meanwhile, the Women Bureau of Rh Kerapa, Spak also contributed to Sarawak’s accolades with two unique designs that merge functionality and tradition.
The Stainless Steel Sintong, inspired by the classic padi basket, was reimagined as a sophisticated accessory for the modern home.
As for their Coiled Rattan Placemat, it uses a traditional coiling technique, where a radiating floral design is formed over the round placemat, creating a fine lace like a pattern.
Notably, local Bidayuh artist, Abot Gudang was also honoured with the WCC-APR Award of Excellence for Handicrafts 2024 for his stunning Hand-Painted Wooden Twigs Necklace.
Sarawak’s master beadwork artist, Juliana Embrose also received the award for her innovative Seeds Necklace creation, which is an innovative Iban style ‘Marek Empang’.
Additionally, the Iban Ikat Scarf piece by Eco Company, Rh Garie Longhouse was also recognised with the award. The innovative creation, made with natural dyes and Tencel fibre, features a new dyeing technique for the patterns.
The WCC-Award of Excellence for Handicrafts is one of WCC-AISBL’s significant programmes, dedicated to recognising good design and craftsmanship and supporting the handicrafts sector.
The award programme was first established in 1990 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) as a craft prize in recognition of excellence of skills in handmade products.
In 2001, the Award of Excellence for Handicrafts programme, formerly known as the ‘Seal of Excellence for Handicrafts’ was initiated in South-East Asia jointly by Unesco and the AHPADA.
The WCC’s Award of Excellence for Handicrafts aims to encourage designer-makers, artisans and craft makers to produce and create new forms of handicrafts using traditional, heritage and/or contemporary craft resources and practices to ensure the continuity, sustainability, and innovation of craft systems.
Among those present were Deputy Minister Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports, Entrepreneur Development Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu, Deputy Permanent Secretary Desmond Jerukan, Owner, Creative and Project director of Ranee Artisan Gallery Datin Rosemarie Wong-Jabu, Asean Handicraft Promotion and Development Association (AHPADA) adviser Edric Ong, and Sarawak Craft Council (SCC) manager Suriya Charles Buas, Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation Sarawak branch director Mohd Fu’ad Ariffin, and Business Events Sarawak Corporate Management general manager Jacqueline Png.
