KUCHING: Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV) is playing host to the Sarawak Headgear and Beads Promotion Expo which was launched by Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) general manager Soedirman Aini on Friday.
The event is held in conjunction with the Miss World Harvest Festival event happening during this weekend and is jointly organised by SCV, Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation Sarawak branch,
Craft Council and local crafts collectors.
According to Soedirman, the objective of the expo is to promote Sarawak headgears and beads to both locals and tourists alike.
“We would like to instil a sense of pride and appreciation for our cultures and heritage in the younger generation, as well as
to promote to the rest of the world.
“It shows that with some creativity, the traditional headgears and beads can enhance modern day’s dressing and usage. This is one of the ways to promote these products to the people,” he said in a press conference.
He added that SEDC contributed towards preserving the state’s rich traditions and cultures by promoting the headgears and beads at SEDC Group of Companies, specifically at Grand Margherita Hotel, Riverside Majestic Damai Beach Resort and Damai Golf and Country Club.
SCV general manager Jane Lian Labang said the World Harvest Festival was a suitable platform to promote crafts.
“We are proud to display the collection of headgears and beads as well as getting local crafts makers to set up booth here.
“It is a suitable platform to push Sarawak’s iconic products to visitors,” she said.
Meanwhile, Kelabit Association Sarawak cultural advisor Datin Pearl Jai Mohan, who was also present at the launch, also encouraged young people to learn more about their cultures and to start collecting beads.
“I have been residing in Kuala Lumpur for the past 40 years but I have never forgotten my roots,” she said.
Among those present was beads expert Heidi Munan.