By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Dec 16: Efforts will be made to ensure that the legacy of the ‘baju kuas’ craftsmanship is displayed at the Borneo Cultures Museum (BCM), says Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts, Datuk Snowdan Lawan.
In a press release, he said that arrangements will be made to interview the curator of the baju kuas, Julia James, when officiating at the closing ceremony of a baju kuas workshop by Julia at the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) in Santubong on Sunday (Dec 14).
The traditional baju kuas is a distinctive garment worn by the women of the Iban Balau community, who mostly reside in the Simanggang, Banting, Undop, Lingga, and Pantu areas.
It is a meticulously crafted garment made mostly from black coloured cloth and woven and skilfully knitted by fine coloured threads, beads, and other accessories. Originally worn during festivals, weddings, and traditional events, it has since become a family heirloom.
Having seen for himself how the baju kuas is crafted, and noting that his grandparents were originally from Banting, Snowdan said the making of the traditional attire is of particular interest to him.
He suggested that a workshop be initiated to promote and pass on the craft, especially to the younger generation, to prevent the legacy from fading into extinction.
“Julia James and her family took this challenge, while the ministry lends the necessary financial support and CENTEXs provides the premises platform. This is a commendable effort,” he remarked.
Snowdan also urged them to add value to their creativity so that their products can be monetised and have commercial value. Ultimately, he said, this would enable the craft to become a sustainable business undertaking.
At present, depending on the design and materials used, a piece of baju kuas can fetch between RM1,500 and RM3,000, which he described as quite lucrative by industry standards.
During the event, Snowdan handed over certificates to 24 participants, made up of the Iban, Malay, Bidayuh, and Orang Ulu communities.
Also present was Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers of Sarawak (Sabati) exco member Datin Melinda Claudia Bucking. — DayakDaily
