Empiang speaks to the press.
KUCHING (Aug 10): The state-level Iban Handicraft Competition 2025/2026 succeeded in showcasing the creativity, craftsmanship and cultural heritage of the Iban community, said Tan Sri Dato Sri Empiang Jabu.
The chairperson of the Iban Women Charitable Trust (IWCT) said she was impressed by the participation this year, with competitors representing every division in Sarawak.
“The competition was also expanded this year to include men for the first time.
“A total of 122 handicraft entries were submitted for judging, involving 19 male and 71 female participants, with the youngest participant aged 19 and the oldest aged 81,” she told a press conference at her residence here yesterday.
The competition was organised by IWCT in collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Sarawak’s Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts and the Tun Jugah Foundation.
It featured nine categories: Woven Bemban Mat (Fruit Motif), Pua Kumbu Weaving, Kebat Cloth Weaving (Women’s Traditional Wear), Karap Cloth Weaving (Women’s Traditional Wear), Marik Beadwork (Marik Empang), Traditional Iban Costume Making, Headhunter Sword (Duku Pengayau) Crafting – Women’s Nyabur, Headhunter Sword (Duku Pengayau) Crafting – Men’s Nyabur, and Headhunter Sword (Duku Pengayau) Crafting – Langgai Tingang.
Empiang said the competition was aimed at showcasing the creativity and craftsmanship of the Iban community while preserving their cultural heritage.
“It is also to provide a platform for our artisans, especially the local makers and the younger generation to demonstrate their skill.”
She added the competition also served to bring greater public attention to traditional Iban handicrafts and their potential to support rural livelihoods.
On whether the competition would be brought to the national level, Empiang said it would be unlikely for now.
“At the moment, we are not planning to go national yet because there are still a lot of weavers and skillful craftsmen in Sarawak whom we have not been able to reach out to,” she said.
The prize-giving ceremony for the competition will be on Aug 15.
The post Empiang: State-level Iban handicraft competition a showcase of creativity, craftsmanship appeared first on Borneo Post Online.