THE rich tapestry of Sabah’s multi -ethnic cultures is stitched on fibers and fabrics of many colours, textures and forms. Steeped in tradition, every tribe has its own unique crafts and skills, reflecting their roots, livelihood and the landscapes of their surroundings — lowland, highland, interior and coast.
With more than 30 different indigenous groups, and dozens of sub-tribes, the ethnic make-up of Sabah is not only multi-layered but also as colourful as the beads that adorn the necklaces of the tribal women.
The largest group is Kadazandusun (dusun means orchard, and the people are traditionally farmers) concentrated mainly in the valleys and hilly areas surrounding Ranau, Panampang,Tambunan and Keningau. The tribes include Dusun, Rungus, Lotud and Minokok.
The second largest is Bajau, including the Bajau Laut with seafaring skills, living on the east and west coasts of Sabah. The third largest is Murut in the hinterland and along the Kinabatangan River.
The traditional crafts of many of these ethnic groups can be found in a small retail outlet tucked in the busy thoroughfare of Sabah’s capital city, Kota Kinabalu.
Kadaiku, the local dialect for “my shop”, makes it easy for tourists and craft fans to get Sabah crafts that originate from villages in the deep interiors of the state.
Finding the crafts yourself in these villages may mean a hit-and-miss affair. The local artisans, mostly known from word of mouth, are tucked in remote places and discovering them involves an adventurous spirit and determination.
So Kadaiku is the easy option. But it’s not only a delightful shopping stop to pick up Sabah crafts and souvenirs.
It’s also the place for you to learn who made the crafts and how, what materials were used and where these materials came from.
REINVENTING CRAFTS
Many craft lovers are a discerning lot. They evaluate what they buy. They want authenticity. They embrace originality and quality. They are interested in the craft making process. And so Kadaiku meets these demands besides promoting and helping to preserve Sabah crafts.
“We find the best of Sabah crafts and bring them here,” says Kadaiku trade and merchandising manager Melina Molukun Chia.
Kadaiku does not merely display and sell the crafts. “We help the craftmakers to reinvent the traditional crafts, making them more appealing and serving new functions, such as for home decor and corporate gifts,” says Melina.
She adds that crafts at Kadaiku are mostly made by the villagers in their respective districts and the brief stories of their crafts are printed on eye-catching standees placed next to their creations. “We get the crafts directly from the craftmakers to ensure authenticity of each product.”
Most of the traditional forms have been left intact. However, many of the crafts have also been cleverly transformed from wholesome to hot looking. The patterns, once dull with natural colours, have been turned into colourful patterns, made into functional items for today’s use, such as dining mats and pencil holders. But that doesn’t mean they lose their innate crafted quality and authenticity.
Indigenous crafts often bear a strong mark of local flora and fauna. Whether they have been made from forest woods or wickers, or the leaves of tropical plants, many of these things could not be replicated elsewhere.
NATURALLY SABAH
The Kadazandusun are known for their handwoven rattan baskets and bamboo musical instruments; the Rungus for their beadwork; and the Bajau for their colourful woven mats, food covers and lepa-lepa (wooden boats).
Natural materials sourced from Sabah are used. Woods for boats, bamboo for musical instruments, woven rattan for baskets, mats and cages, and nipah palm fronds for mats, baskets and boxes. Many of these items look quite simple, yet their ingenious design with intricate embellishments qualify them as traditional crafts.
Yet with the guidance of the people behind Kadaiku, managed by Sri Pelancongan Sabah, a subsidiary of Sabah Tourism Board, the traditional has been given a trendy touch. For instance, the traditional kain dastar of the Iranun, who live in the coastal areas, is no longer confined for use by the men for festive celebrations. The colourful fabric now adorns Kadaiku’s exclusive range of handbags from casual totes to elegant clutch bags.
The Iranun has even combined the dastar tradition with that of the Malay songket. Using metallic gold threads, the Iranun women create sampin songket dastar—a glittering fusion of metallic gold threads and elaborate motifs.
The Rungus women of Kudat not only produce Sabah’s best beaded accessories, they’re also known for the intricate black and red reversible kain tinohian, a cloth typically and traditionally worn as a ceremonial headgear by the Rungus men. But the cloth can also make eye-catching table cloths and wall decorations.
Sabah hand-painted silk batik depicting unique Murut, Rungus and Kadazan motifs are turned into lovely shawls, scarves, and readymade clothes.
Musical instruments, some hard to get these days, such as the bamboo sampoton (wind instrument) kulintangan (a set of eight or nine small gongs) and suling (flute) made by the Kadazandusun make interesting buys. Even if you don’t know how to play these instruments, they make fascinating mementoes of Sabah.