KUCHING: The Iban Women’s Charitable Trust (IWCT) has expanded its biennial Iban craft competition to statewide level for the first time, attracting 111 participants from across Sarawak with 122 entries.
The winning entries will be showcased and prizes presented during a ceremony on Aug 15, to be officiated by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
IWCT chairman Tan Sri Empiang Jabu said the competition, organised by IWCT since 2013, has evolved from a small district-level initiative into a platform encompassing all divisions in Sarawak, with participants from as far as Limbang and Lundu.
She said the strong response demonstrated that traditional Iban craftsmanship remained alive, with artisans continuing to preserve skills handed down through generations.
“This competition is about showcasing the creativity, craftsmanship and cultural heritage of the Iban community, while giving our artisans, particularly those in rural areas, an opportunity to demonstrate skills that may otherwise remain unknown to the wider public,” she told reporters after chairing the eighth organising committee meeting here on Monday (Aug 10).
The ‘Pekit Pengelandik Jari IWCT 2025/2026’ competition attracted 71 women and 19 men, aged between 19 and 81, with Kapit recording the highest participation.
A significant new feature this year is the opening of the competition to men for the first time, with traditional blacksmithing, or ‘Ngambuh’, introduced as one of the categories.
The craft involves the making of the traditional Iban ‘Duku Pengayau’, reflecting the historical and cultural significance of weapon-making in Iban society.
Among the nine categories featured are Anyam Tikai Bemban, bead collars or Marik Empang or tangu, Baju Kuas, Pua Kumbu, Kain Kebat, Kain Karap and various forms of traditional Iban weaving.
Empiang said the competition also aimed to ensure that traditional crafts remained relevant and continued to be passed down to future generations.
“Iban handicrafts represent more than just decorative objects. They carry our cultural knowledge, identity, stories and traditional skills. If these crafts are no longer practised and eventually disappear, one part of our identity also disappears.”
She added that traditional handicrafts could contribute to rural livelihoods by providing artisans with supplementary income, greater exposure and opportunities to access new markets through tourism, cultural events and the creative industry.
The competition is particularly significant for rural communities, where many artisans possess considerable skills but have limited platforms to showcase their work.
“This is an opportunity for our brothers and sisters in the rural areas who have tremendous skills but perhaps nowhere to show them. We want to give them that platform and, at the same time, encourage the younger generation to learn these skills and keep the tradition alive.”
Prizes will be awarded to the top three winners in each of the nine categories, together with five consolation prizes in each category.
The winning entries will be showcased during the prize presentation on Aug 15, allowing members of the public and invited guests an opportunity to appreciate the artistry, craftsmanship and diversity of traditional Iban crafts.
She said the increasing participation and quality of entries over the years were encouraging signs for the future of Iban handicrafts.
She also called on young people to use digital platforms and their modern skills to help traditional crafts reach wider audiences and remain relevant in a changing world.
“We want young people to use their digital platforms and their knowledge to give new life to our crafts, so that these traditions remain relevant and continue to be appreciated by future generations.”
Established in 2009 under the Charitable Acts Ordinance, IWCT conducts programmes aimed at empowering women and communities, including handicraft development, small-business initiatives and grassroots leadership programmes.
While there are currently no immediate plans to take the competition to the national or international level, Empiang said IWCT’s immediate priority was to reach more skilled artisans across Sarawak and introduce additional craft categories in future editions.
With participation now extending across the state, the competition has emerged as an important platform for celebrating Iban craftsmanship while preserving cultural identity and creating new opportunities for artisans.
