Tunku Azizah celebrates Sarawak heritage at Borneo International Textile Festival

KUCHING (Dec 8): Tengku Ampuan of Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah delivered a special keynote speech titled “The Future of Our Heritage” at the Borneo International Textile Festival (BiTF) 2025, paying tribute to Sarawak’s rich cultural legacy.

She expressed her deep appreciation for being welcomed once again to what she described as her second home, adding that Sarawak has always honoured its craft heritage with great dignity.

“Last September, during our Temasya Festival in Pahang, Sarawak came in full force with your performers, craftsmen, weavers, culture-bearers and your big hearts.

“And now here we are again, reunited. This is a long and joyful love affair between Pahang and Sarawak. I even brought my daughters’ art pieces with me and they will be on loan to Sarawak for three months.

“When I say Sarawak is my second home, I truly mean it,” she said.

Throughout her speech, Tunku Azizah highlighted the extraordinary diversity of Borneo’s textile traditions, where motifs hold spiritual, historical and cultural meanings.

“In many communities, textiles were never simply garments. They were sacred objects, protectors of the soul, carriers of prayers and symbols of cosmic order. A single motif may signify a guardian spirit, a river that sustains life or a journey between worlds.

“These designs remind us that weaving is not merely craft. It is theology, philosophy and civilisation,” she said.

She also shared her personal connection to local textiles, recalling that as a young bride she wore the tudung keringkam during her Khatam Qur’an ceremony and received keringkam selendang as part of her traditional Malay wedding gifts (hantaran).

“The hantaran was so precious to me that I gifted it to the Sarawak Museum, so that the people here could see and enjoy it and even claim that it belongs to them,” she said.

She commended Sarawak’s institutions such as Juma’ani Pavilion, Centexs, the Temenggong Jugah Foundation and Tinoti Crafts as the living hubs of creativity.

She also applauded the global recognition of the Borneo Cultures Museum, calling it a victory for artisans across the region and noting Sarawak’s strong support for weaving initiatives.

“The museum is a proof that your heritage stands proudly on the global stage. This is a victory not only for Sarawak but for Borneo, Malaysia, Asean, for every weaver, beader, carver, potter and artisan whose work deserves a global respect.

“Heritage cannot survive alone. It requires collaboration between federal and state governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), corporates, artisans and communities. I must also applaud Sarawak’s hospitality,” she said.

Tunku Azizah also encouraged the younger generation to embrace and showcase their heritage instead of keeping traditional textiles stored away.

“We need your creativity, imagination and hands. Wear your identity proudly, your rantai manik, your keringkam, your songket Sarawak. Wear it, love it and show it,” she said.

Also present during the programme was Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan.