A pair of beaded shoes with superb workmanship once considered as a defining aspect of highly accomplished Peranakan women. — Tourism Malaysia
For Imaya Majid, a Malaysian consultant based in Tokyo, Japan, wearing a batik baju kurung has become the norm in her life abroad. She is in awe of the beauty of this traditional clothing and considers wearing it as a way to keep connected to her roots back in Malaysia.
“The locals here will even stop and compliment my baju kurung whenever I don them, saying the colourful delicate motifs are just a feast for the eyes. Hearing this makes me even more proud of Malaysian traditional handicrafts,” she says.
Such sentiment resonates with many Malaysians. Batik is just one of the profound art and handicrafts representing the cultural diversity of this country. For many generations, artisans have been safeguarding handicraft legacies by bringing them closer to the people while contributing to the Malaysian economy with their magic hands.
In the spirit of supporting local artisans and keeping our cultural heritage alive, here are some exceptional handicrafts you can find in Malaysia.
Batik, made by using the wax-and-dye methods, may be one of the world’s oldest textile arts out there, with evidences of early examples have been found over 2,000 years ago. In Malaysia, it is especially thriving in the east coast region. Our local batik primarily features floral and geometrical motifs enhanced through beautiful vibrant colours.
These days, high-quality Malaysian batik is easily accessible thanks to the myriads of homegrown brands that honour the long legacy of this art. One of them is the Penang-hailed Better Than Blouses, a new-generation of batik retailer that offers beautiful batik prints tailored into fresh, flattering cuts ideal for modern wearers.
Contact: betterthanblouses.com
Songket is a highly valued textile in Malaysia, especially among the Malays. Traditionally, it is handwoven in silk or cotton and features intricate patterns formed by inserting metallic thread between the base threads. Needless to say, the entire process favours patience and precision, yet even so, there are still many artisans who continue producing fine songket, significantly in the east coast states like Terengganu. If you want to get your hands on this textile masterpiece, you may head to Pasar Payang in Kuala Terengganu, where you’ll find an impressive selection of songket fit for every budget.
Contact: Pasar Payang Terengganu Facebook (@PasarPayangTerengganu)
The price of handwoven songket will depend on the complexity of its design. — Photos: Tourism Malaysia
The history of tekat, the traditional art of gold-and-silver thread embroidery, in Malaysia dates back to the 15th century when Middle East traders introduced it to the local community. Its intricate elegance naturally drew people’s attention, including members of royalty and nobility. This led them to commission skilled local artisans for tekat items to adorn their royal residences and ceremonial uses. Velvet was often the choice of fabric to have the tekat on due to its luxurious look. A well-made tekat, moreover, can keep its quality for anywhere from 15 to 20 years.
If you happen to be travelling to Kuala Kangsar, Perak, do make time to visit some of the remaining few of tekat craftspeople like Mardziah Binti Abu Kassim, as this royal town is recognised as the cradle where the thread embroidery art grew.
Contact: Mardziah Abu Kassim (019-214 1866)
Similar to tekat, keringkam is a traditional embroidery craft from Sarawak. But instead of threads, this technique requires thin gold or silver ribbon embroidered onto sheer fabric before it is turned into a selendang (scarf) or what the locals call selayah.
Interestingly, the scarf adorned with keringkam is not just a fashion accessory but is seen as an important symbol in Sarawak Malay customs. The most significant is during the ‘tikar ngambik pengantin’ tradition, in which a keringkam scarf is sent along with a mat to the groom’s house by the bride’s family to indicate their readiness to receive the arrival of the courtship entourage. You can shop for this exclusive head garment at the Songket and Keringkam Gallery in Kuching, Sarawak. The price depends on the design’s complexity and the threads’ quality.
Contact: Songket & Keringkam Gallery
Royal Selangor is championing the art of pewter by being the world's biggest producer of the alloy.
The tin mining industry in Malaya began in the 1820s after the arrival of Chinese miners and pewter smiths. The industry reached its peak in the late 19th century when the country became the world’s largest producer of tin and this, naturally, made pewter craftsmanship flourish as well.
The alloy – made with a mixture of tin and small amounts of copper and antimony – is preferred by plenty of craftsmen as it can be worked in many ways to create products that last for generations if cared for properly. Today, one may shop for fine pewter pieces from the world-acclaimed brand, Royal Selangor, whose products range from collectible figurines and homewares to jewellery. They also work closely with renowned artists and cultural organisations such as the British Museum for exclusive collections worth having.
Contact: Royal Selangor website
Beadwork once played a crucial part in the Peranakan Chinese culture. In the past, every Nyonya had to learn how to do beadwork at a young age or risk being deemed inadequate. But now, fewer Peranakan women are picking up the skill due to its laborious process.
The beading is typically done on shoes and uses colourful “Manek” potong beads imported from Japan as well as Europe. Each pair of shoes serve different occasions according to the colours of their beads. Head to George Town’s Armenian Street, or Melaka city along Jalan Tokong where you’ll find remarkable kasut manik (beaded shoes) artisans whose shops have been around for many generations.
Contact: T. S. Lim Trading Melaka (016-618 6989)
Wau is Malaysia's own traditional kite and is considered one of the national symbols. — Galeri Wau Pak Sapie Dan Wan Anuar
The wau or kite is another iconic handicraft in Malaysia. Traditionally flown in Kelantan and Terengganu, the wau comes in several shapes, sizes and versions, with the wau bulan being the most recognisable one. The wau bulan is also a Malaysian symbol, alongside the Malaysan tiger, hibiscus and batik. Other types of wau include the wau puyuh, wau kucing, wau jala budi and wau merak.
A typical wau bulan measures about 2.5m in width and 3.5m in length. Its frame is made from bamboo and decorated with paper that has been painstakingly hand-cut to showcase beautiful floral or even batik designs.
In Kelantan, one of the most famous traditional wau makers was the late Sapie Jusoh, who was named a national Adiguru Kraf Wau (Wau Craftmaster) in 2006. His “store”, Galeri Pak Sapie, opened sometime in the 1980s and many of his creations were sold there.
After his passing in 2018, Sapie’s youngest son Wan Anuar took over the business and continued his father’s wau-making legacy.
Contact: Galeri Wau Pak Sapie Dan Wan Anuar
