With its old-world charm and fascinating heritage as the former seat of power for a line of white Rajahs, the city of Kuching is also dotted by modern conveniences and lavish greenery.
March 15 marked the official announcement by Datuk Abdul Karim Hamzah, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports; that the status of a World Craft City has been conferred upon Kuching by the World Crafts Council International (WCCI).
It certainly sounds well and good, but how significant is this achievement?
There are only 20 other world craft cities in the Asia Pacific region and Kuching is the first and only in Malaysia to date to be bestowed with the honour. It is thus our pride to be recognised as a craft city and the timing is perfect as 2019 is ‘Visit Sarawak Year.’ As understood, the global business of tourism carries an economic multiplier effect capable of benefitting a population both directly and indirectly.
Crafts are significant in helping to increase the appeal of the State’s diverse cultures to the world at large, and being a craft city empowers and encourages members of our communities to participate in the conservation and promotion of our own crafts.
With the full support of the Sarawak State Government and Dewan Bandaraya Kuching Utara, the Society Atelier Sarawak was able to submit a convincing bid dossier to the WCCI for Kuching to be recognised as a World Craft City.
In the words of Society Atelier Sarawak President, Edric Ong, “This could not be possible if not for the dedicated team comprising the Sarawak Crafts Council, Sarawak Museum, Sarawak Cultural Village, Kraftangan Malaysia Sarawak, Unimas, Sarawak Tourism Board, Sarawak Convention Bureau, Sarawak Tourism Federation, Tun Jugah Foundation, Craftshub, What About Kuching (WAK), Dayak Cultural Foundation, Dayak Bidayuh National Association, Malay and Orang Ulu Associations. Plus of course all the Living Legends, Young Masters and Emerging Communities of Crafts who presented their works in the impressive exhibition to the Panel of Jury”.
The said Panel of Jury was led by Dr Ghada Hijjawai Qaddumi (President of WCC Asia Pacific Region or WCC-APR), Usha Krishna (Past President of WCCI), Dr Surapee Rojanavongse (Past President of WCC-APR) and Raja Fuziah Tun Uda (Advisor to and Past President of WCC-APR).
With this new status, Kuching now takes its place in the international arena of crafts alongside celebrated cities such as Jaipur, Jogjakarta, Isfahan, Dongyang and Bonnholm.
With it comes the obligation of living up fully to the reputation and also the responsibilities that the city has committed to fulfil in its bid for the status. This includes the promotion and sustainability of our crafts and the makers of these crafts, networking with other world craft cities through forums and the sharing of our knowledge, techniques and artistry through exhibitions and workshops.
Society Atelier Sarawak has, since its formation in 1985, been promoting Sarawak and other Malaysian crafts internationally. April this month will see the society participating in Inacracraft Jakarta, Crafts Bangkok, and three Kuching designers namely Edric Ong, Tanoti and Melor by Melinda Omar will be in Aspara Fashion Week in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Then in July in Santa Fe International Folk Art Market in USA, the society will showcase the best of our local crafts.
To ensure the patrimony of our crafts is to protect and pass the skills of their creation from generation to generation. It is also crucial that our craftsmen are recognised for their values and efforts.
In a ceremony held at the auditorium of the Old Courthouse, twenty-two craftsmen were recognised as ‘Living Legends’. They are: Anyi Mukap (wood carving), Bangie Anak Embol (ikat weaving), Bawe Anak Jaeu (beaded tall hats), Cecelia Anak Sanggop (mat making), Christopher Jehet Anak Ngayub & Esther Sired (tree bark craft), Dayang Tigur (raung hats and crafts), Goh Ah Soon (pottery), Hajijah binti Shani (Melanau terendak hats), Hajjah Mastura binti Haji Sidek (keringkam gold embroidery), Ho Swee Neng (tinsmithing), Ibu Ngot (tikar bergerang), Jati Anak Ju (ikat weaving), Kumbu Anak Katau (wood carving), Madline Mundat Anak Gani (mat making), Michael Lim Tiang Ek (fine arts and batik), Nancy Anak Ngali (ikat weaving), Ramsay Ong Liang Thong (fine arts), Roselyn Long Lah (Orang Ulu beadwork), Salbiah binti Muhi & Zainap binti Muhi (keringkam gold embroidery), Sijan Anak Eson (bamboo craft), Singin Tiwan (rattan basketry) and Tun Tun (wood carving).
On the other hand, there were thirteen artisans identified as ‘Young Masters’.
They are Abot Gundang (Dayak painted designs), Eileen Phoan & Fabian Tan (goldsmithing and jewellery), Erianna Daniel (raung hats and crafts), Gerald Goh (ceramics and pottery), Senia Jugi (basketry weaving), Ginyam Anak Chagik (ikat weaving), Jenny Anak Dudu (beaded tall hats), Liza Niyek (rattan basketry), Lucille Awen Jon (pangiah maker), Majerah (tikar bergerang), Nabilah Abdullah @ Norria Jipem (ceramics and pottery), Rita Kut (rattan basketry) and Syamimi Binti Razal (songket weaving).
A total of six ‘Emerging Communities of Crafts’ were recognised, namely Biro Wanita Bebanggai Kanan Rumah Dempsey (basketry), Biro Wanita Kerapa Spak Rumah Jambai (upcycled fan cover and basketry) and Biro Wanita Merunjau Padeh Rumah Gramong (mat making) from Betong, Kubaan Puak Penan Villages (rattan basketry) from Ulu Tutoh, Seri Gedong Songket (songket weaving) from Gedong, and lastly Tanoti House (songket weaving) from Kuching. – By Vicky Fong
