IMPROVING LIVES OF THE PENAN AT LONG LAMAI THROUGH HANDICRAFTS

Assoc. Prof. Dr. June Ngo Siok Kheng, Design Technology Programme, Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts, UNIMAS.

Research Fellow, Institute of Social Informatics and Technological Innovation (ISITI), UNIMAS.

Long Lamai Introduction

• Established in the 1950s; one of the biggest and oldest settlements of the Penan in Sarawak.

• Located next to the Balong River, Baram region.

• Approximately 550 people living in Long Lamai and majority of the community earn less than RM500/month.

• Remote community with no road access, no proper water supply

and limited mobile phone coverage.

• Many members of the community still practice traditional handicraft making.

LONG LAMAI

Map showing location of Long Lamai

LONG LAMAI

SABAH

SARAWAK

INDONESIA

LONG LAMAI

HANDICRAFT WORKSHOPS AT LONG LAMAI

• This handicraft development project is a joint collaboration project between the Long Lamai artisans and the Institute of Social Informatics and Technological Innovation (ISITI), UNIMAS.

• The aim of the workshops were to gauge the interest of the Long Lamai artisans to experiment with new materials and produce new contemporary rattan products.

HANDICRAFT WORKSHOPS AT LONG LAMAI

• It was observed that the Long Lamai artisans were keen to explore and experiment using new materials and techniques to make new rattan products.

• They also indicated their interest to continue to be involved in the handicraft project.

1st HANDICRAFT WORKSHOP AT LONG LAMAI 10-12 APRIL 2013

Plaiting the rattan fiber at the IT community center

Artisans carrying out the shaving of rattan fiber and plaiting processes

Studying examples of online handcrafted products

Working together in a group

2nd HANDICRAFT WORKSHOP AT LONG LAMAI 24-26 JULY 2013

LONG LAMAI ARTISANS

Susansi Yahuda Limau Connie Lingah Taeng Jengan

Ping Musa Sena Lilin

Baun Nueng

Emily Juliati Herris Gamung Lian

EXAMPLES OF TRADITIONAL RATTAN PRODUCTS MADE BY THE

LONG LAMAI ARTISANS

RATTAN PRODUCTS MADE BY THE LONG LAMAI ARTISANS

Bracelets made using rattan and Lurex metallic threads

Contemporary bamboo bracelets made using Lurex metallic threads and plaited on bamboo

Rattan Hair Clips

RATTAN PRODUCTS MADE BY THE LONG LAMAI ARTISANS

Purse made using rattan fibre and Lurex metallic threads

Rattan Purse

RATTAN PRODUCTS MADE BY THE LONG LAMAI ARTISANS

Rattan Headbands coloured using natural dyes

RATTAN PRODUCTS MADE BY THE LONG LAMAI ARTISANS

Rattan Dolls

Rattan Bookmarks

Rattan Bags

RATTAN PRODUCTS MADE BY THE LONG LAMAI ARTISANS

Rattan Placemats

RATTAN PRODUCTS MADE BY THE LONG LAMAI ARTISANS

Rattan plates and bowls using natural dyes

NEW RATTAN PRODUCTS MADE BY THE LONG LAMAI ARTISANS

Collaboration with Tanoti Sdn Bhd

Upon completion of the 2 workshops, the Long Lamai Penan artisans continued to explore new skills and materials in the development of products with focus on innovation and improving their skills. Marketing, Sales and Promotion: Tanoti Sdn Bhd, a local handicraft retailer and social enterprise based in Kuching, assisted in the sales and promotion of the rattan products produced by the Long Lamai artisans.

Responsibilities of Tanoti

List of Activities & Exhibitions for Long Lamai Products by Tanoti 2013-2015 – Tanoti actively sells Long Lamai Rattan Products. 2013 - Exhibition, Sales & Promotion at Galerie Huit Exhibition, Arles, France. 2014 - Sold to a hotel in Kuching. 2014- Exhibition, Sales & Promotion at Johor Area Rehabilitation Organisation (JARO). 2014 - Exhibition, Sales & Promotion at Rolling Green Event (KL). 2014 - Sold to a craft shop in Germany. 2014 - Exhibition, Sales & Promotion at a Christmas Charity Sale at Harbour View Hotel, Kuching. Tanoti has paid for ; - Rental of sale space/exhibition fees, air fare to France, Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur and courier charges to France. - Food, lodging, transportation and salaries of sales persons for the Galerie Huit Exhibition, JARO and Rolling Green Events. - Some tools and materials for the artisans and finishing for the headbands, hang tags and packaging for the Long Lamai products.

Conclusion

This project has empowered the indigenous Long Lamai Penan artisans with skills, knowledge and enabling them to be self-sustainable. Hopefully, the success of this project will be able to discourage rural to urban migration and thus become a catalyst to create numerous jobs as means to improve their livelihoods whilst preserving their culture and heritage.

Thank you!