Project Craft Connections is a strategic initiative designed to bridge the gap between traditional craftsmanship and urban demand. At its core, the initiative involves external designers working with artisan communities to introduce innovative design strategies, ensuring their crafts meet both local and international market demands.
Empowering artisans through community engagements
SINCE 2012, Tanoti has been dedicated to preserving heritage crafts, empowering women, and fostering rural community development. Based in Sarawak, Malaysia, this socially accredited enterprise works with over 500 indigenous artisans across 25 village settlements, representing seven of the region’s 30 ethnic groups.
When I was invited to join Tanoti on one of its community project trips, I did not hesitate for a moment. It was a chance to connect with rural communities in areas I had never explored, even in my own home state. It also provided a rare opportunity to travel along the Pan Borneo Highway, which was over 90 per cent completed at the time, spanning across Sarawak.
The journey proved to be an incredible and eye-opening experience. It was inspiring to witness firsthand the positive impact Tanoti has had on these local communities. Read on to learn more about my experience connecting with the artisans and communities involved in these projects.
They say “seeing is believing,” and that is exactly what I did. Our road trip began early in the morning with a pick-up in a Hilux, and we set off from Kuching to Miri, travelling along the Pan Borneo Highway. We made pit stops for food, toilet breaks, and to stretch our legs in various towns along the way. We had breakfast in Serian and lunch in Sibu.
The entire journey took nearly nine hours, and as the sun began to set, we arrived at Miri Beach, where we enjoyed the gentle breeze from the South China Sea before checking into an apartment for the night. The following day, we would continue our journey to the Niah region.
Our first day of work began with picking up Melinda Looi, Malaysia’s acclaimed fashion designer, along with her two team members, Jimmy Ong and Maya, at the Miri airport. From there, we journeyed to five longhouses and a Malay kampong in an oil palm plantation area in Niah that were eagerly awaiting our arrival. What began as smooth rides soon turned into bumpy tracks as we reached the rural communities.
Project Craft Connections is a strategic initiative designed to bridge the gap between traditional craftsmanship and urban demand. At its core, the initiative involves external designers working with artisan communities to introduce innovative design strategies, ensuring their crafts meet both local and international market demands.
Key Objectives:
Enhance the skills and knowledge of rural and remote craft artisans through structured development workshops.
Provide opportunities for rural artisans to showcase their work and connect with the urban market through craft demonstrations and workshops.
Support the continuity of traditional craft-making techniques by offering a platform for artisans to sustain their craft.
Help rural artisans improve their livelihoods by linking their products to a broader, more profitable urban market.
“This is one of a series of community engagements which we will be executing under the ‘Project Craft Connections’ programme supported by Geran Dana Mudahcara, “says Datuk Jacqueline Fong, director of Tanoti.
In the Niah region of Sarawak, over 100 artisans from various indigenous groups, including the Iban, Malay, Bidayuh, and Penan communities, specialise in beadwork and embroidery.
At our first longhouse, Rumah Ayai in Niah, we were warmly welcomed and greeted by long tables filled with beautiful beadwork. It was a feast for the eyes. We bought some crafts and wore them. The skill of the older beading artisans was evident, and it was no surprise that one of them, persuaded by Melinda Looi, parted with a piece that was not originally for sale. This visit was about examining their crafts and exploring how innovative approaches could help create new products.
The friendly Tuah Rumah of Rumah Ayai even taught us the “Jagung Pose”, a playful gesture of covering our cheeks like a sweetcorn with leaves. This pose is popular among school children in Niah and added a light-hearted touch to our visit.
We continued to visit four other longhouses: Rumah Aron, Rumah Patrick Libau, Rumah John Abau, and Rumah Sikun, along with the Malay Kampung Lajong, all located within the Niah region.
Supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Sarawak, Project Craft Connections was well attended by the Niah community. During the three-day workshop held at the Public Library in Batu Niah, the women
participants discovered the art of creating stunning beadwork with recycled materials like denim.
Under the guidance of Melinda Looi, they crafted beautiful beaded necklaces together with materials from denim and even a corset using weaving techniques. They also had the freedom to design their own unique recycled denim bags, incorporating vibrant beads that showcased both creativity and cultural appreciation.
Overall, this project led by Fong and her Tanoti team has been a tremendous help, fostering cultural exchange. The Kuala Lumpur designer’s team was fascinated by the rich cultural heritage, while the rural communities benefitted from innovative ideas to enhance their weaving and beading techniques, allowing them to create even more diverse products with the prototypes left with them.
