Tuesday, September 13, 2005

Museum of Sarawak textiles opens in Kuching

By Sharon Ling

Sarawak Textile Museum opened its doors to the public on Friday, unveiling a collection of fabrics, costumes and weaving traditions of the state’s major ethnic groups.

Set up by the state Museum Department, it is housed at the Pavilion, a colonial-era building opposite the General Post Office in Kuching.

The Chief Minister’s wife Datuk Laila Taib, who opened the museum, said it would inspire local designers to create distinctly Sarawakian designs based on ethnic textiles.

She hoped to see Sarawakian textiles being marketed locally and abroad, and perhaps make an appearance in fashion capitals of the world.

The museum has four main galleries featuring raw materials, weaving, textile motifs and accessories, and bridal wear.

The displays emphasise the diversity of textiles in Sarawak from Iban “pua” weaving and Malay “songket” to intricately beaded Orang Ulu costumes, bark cloth and embroidered Nyonya kebaya blouses.

Three of the kebaya blouses were given by Kho Siew Khuan, 75, who made them in the 1950s.

Kho, who was present at the opening, said she began making and embroidering “kebaya” blouses when she was 19.

“I learnt how to do it by watching my mother sew when I was a girl,” she said, adding that, unfortunately, none of her seven children were interested in taking up the skill as it demanded time and patience.

Besides clothes, the museum exhibits woven baskets and mats along with accessories such as belts and headgear, while large posters explain the various aspects of textile production, including the methods and motifs used.

Courtesy of The Star

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