KOTA KINABALU: Local craft makers in Sabah’s northern Matunggong district finally got the recognition they sought recently when the beaded flag they created four years ago made it into the Malaysia Book of Records (MBR).
The group, comprising mainly housewives, could hardly believe it when MBR representatives reached out with an offer to put their creation into the book.
"After news articles of our unappreciated work came out in The Star, followed by other media, I received an email offering us a place in the book for making the biggest Jalur Gemilang out of beads," said Hanna Paradong, who was the first to pitch the idea to her fellow villagers.
On Sept 14, they got their certificates at a simple ceremony in Beaufort, along with an entry in MBR.
"We were surprised but extremely because finally, our (efforts) to prove that we are amazing crafters and bead workers has received the recognition we yearned for," said the 57-year-old.
Hanna said the main reason for making the 193cm x 97cm, 5kg flag was to show the Matunggong people's skills at beadwork to the nation.
She said many do not know that Matunggong folk were among the first in the state to create jewellery and other objects using beads.
The trade needed to be preserved for the generations to come, she added.
"This is our priority and remains our main objective. We were not seeking fame or wealth, but rather to preserve and promote our heritage and culture while trying to make a living," she said.
On the flip side of their achievement, however, the craft makers were greeted with derision by some of their neighbours.
"Imagine, when we returned to our village after receiving the MBR certificate, many came to us asking if it also came with (a lot of money)," said Hanna.
"They were laughing at us because we came back with (just) the certificate... they saw no purpose in us doing this and gaining recognition because we did not bring any money home."
That hurt, she said, because money was never their aim.
"Many told us that we wasted time and money. I kept telling my teammates to ignore their taunts and negative comments because what mattered was for our work to be recognised," she added.
"We wish to thank MBR for reaching out and all the media friends who took time and effort to put out story out, especially The Star, Sin Chew Daily, Bernama, Berita Harian, Era Sabah, Astro Awani Borneo, Daily Express, BorneoPost, Radio Television Malaysia (RTM), Sabah Information Department and the Kudat Information Department," she said.
Hanna also expressed their gratitude towards Kudat and Matunggong community leaders, as well as their families and friends for all the support, both moral and financial.
