By Fasiha Khushiri & Rasheeqa Bahida
KUCHING: The on-going ‘Sustainability and Renewable Energy Forum’ (SAREF) 4.0 held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) has given a golden opportunity to local artisan to showcase their handicrafts to a wider audience.
Childhood craft skills by two good friends, Bintang Unyat, 50, and Rando Jawin, 55, have become a thriving source of income for them, and more so during the forum as international visitors were impressed with their crafts during the first day of the SAREF 4.0 event last Wednesday.
The Kapit-based artisans were first introduced to handicrafts at the age of seven and eight to help cover school expenses.
Starting with small-scale sales, they have gradually developed their handicraft business over the years.
“We’ve been exposed to these handicrafts since childhood, guided by our parents and ancestors, but we sell on a small scale. If someone places an order, we will make more to deliver customers’ request,” Bintang said.
The event marked Bintang’s second major exhibition and Rando’s first, providing both artisans with an important opportunity to introduce and display their products to local and international conference participants.
The duo, representing Sungai Gaat Kapit Handicraft, brought a diverse selection of traditional and modern items from Kapit, packing their crafts carefully as they boarded the aeroplane to come here for the forum, highlighting the dedication and high spirit that go into presenting and showcasing their handicrafts.
“We’ve been selling steadily without pause since childhood,” they said when interviewed by Sarawak Tribune.
Sales were reported as highly satisfactory, reflecting the strong market appeal of authentic Kapit handicrafts.
Among the items on display were the original pua kumbu priced at RM600, keban bags at RM60, net hair at RM100, and modern design of the tangu (RM170) and tangu burie (RM200).
The pua kumbu pieces, made using natural dyes derived from wood and roots, drew particular attention, with prices doubling on special occasion, unlike on its normal days when it was usually sold at RM300.
Some of the handicrafts took months to complete, as they require creativity, patience and meticulous work, highlighting the dedication and skill involved in preserving Sarawak’s traditional craft heritage.
The event clearly served as a platform for artisans to showcase their heritage crafts, linking age-old techniques with current market trends, enhancing their visibility and contributing to the economic and cultural sustainability of their communities.
Those interested in supporting these artisans or making a purchase can contact Bintang Unyat at 016-844 7984 or via her Facebook page, Bintang Unyat.
