Saturday, 19 May 2012

SARAWAK TRADITIONAL HEADGEARS

Sarawak's ethnic tribes contributed to a colorful spectrum of unique culture in our handicraft heritage. Sarawak’s authentic handicraft is definitely a bonus that will value-add to your visit to this land of the hornbills. Here are a preview into some of the must-see Sarawak handicrafts which will help you identify their heritage roots while you are travelling in Sarawak.


TERENDAK :  Headgear from the Melanau Community 



Skillfully woven with sago palm strips, wild sago leaves, and rattan strips mostly by the women folks of the Melanau community,  this ornate conical-shaped sun hat offers more than just protection from the sun. The intricate design of the Terendak denotes creativity and adds a delightful sense of fashion in the overall costume of the Melanaus.

Where to get:
Hashimah Bt. Narawi, 199, Kg. Baru Ismail, Ingan, 96000 Sibu, Sarawak.
Tel: +6084 832530


TUKUO OR SIPIAH :  Headgear from the Bidayuh Community 



This spectacular tall cylindrical Bidayuh headgear consists of a piece of red cloth over a tall cylindrical hat intricately woven with bamboo strips. In some areas of Sarawak, Tukuo is often stringed with red, white, black and yellow beads.
SUGU TINGGI FOR IBAN MAIDEN :   Headgear from the Iban Community 



Sugu Tinggi, is a traditional headgear that is worn by Iban maidens in most ceremonial occasion. It is a silver headgear that gives Iban maidens the unique poise and glitter while dancing the Ngajat Indu. Made mostly by Chinese silversmith, Sugu Tinggi is hand crafted with intricate motifs that depict flowers and other floral themes.


SETAPU TUNJANG FOR THE IBAN WARRIOR :  Headgear from the Iban Community 



Setapu Tunjang is hand woven using fine bamboo splits and is sometimes decorated with a silver crown. This intricate woven hat is elaborately attached with feathers of hornbills and other wild birds. 

KETAPU SILUNG :  Headgear from the Orang Ulu Community 


The Orang Ulu of Sarawak are famous for their intricate beadwork depicting themes from the rainforest. Their headgears are also skillfully woven with beadwork and bunches of goat’s hair as decoration. The use of hornbill feathers on the headgear denotes authority and status and in some longhouses, hornbill feathers are only allowed to be used on the Ketapu Silung of the master warriors.

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