Going all out to preserve Sabah’s traditional attire
Sabah is home to over 3.91 million people from 35 ethnic groups and 217 sub-ethnicities. Each community has its own language, customs, and traditions as well as attire, each garment’s weave reflecting the history, customs, and spirit of its people.
Reviving and preserving traditional attire
Preserving Sabah’s diverse ethnic costumes is no easy task. Fortunately, some young Sabahans are deeply passionate about their heritage and are actively working to revive and bring new life to their traditional clothing.
Mohammad Adzri Barti Bahang, a 24-year-old Bajau youth, specialises in sewing all types of Sabah ethnic wear. Operating from a rented shop in Penampang, he has been busy embroidering a piece of black velvet cloth when met by Bernama.
Adzri’s fascination with heritage attire began eight years ago when he began helping his family business, which also involved sewing and selling traditional garments.
Overcoming challenges
The biggest challenge Adzri faces is meeting requests from customers to modify the attire to give it a modern twist. “I have to carefully consider the request, because in the case of certain garments, we cannot change the design so as to preserve the authenticity of its identity,” he shared.
Despite the challenges, Adzri has been receiving a steady stream of customers comprising locals and foreigners. “We have even received orders for traditional attire from Sabahans living in China and Australia,” he shared, showing a picture of a customer from Australia wearing a traditional Kadazan outfit he had sewn.
Showcasing traditional attire
Yap Ken Vun, a 36-year-old human resources executive, believes young Sabahans should be proud to display their traditional costumes. In August, a photo of him wearing a traditional Kadazandusun outfit at the Paris Olympics went viral on social media.
Yap feels the younger generation should actively promote and showcase Sabah’s diverse cultures to the international community. “I’m an avid sports fan and was willing to spend money to support the Malaysian contingent in Paris,” he said, adding that he had saved up for three years to make his trip to Paris.
Encouraging the younger generation
Rivayida Mohd Ravai, a 47-year-old government employee from the Rungus ethnic group, believes parental influence is important in fostering love and pride in traditional attire and culture among the younger generation.
“Parents need to instil in their children a sense of love for our ancestral identity and traditions. For example, in the Rungus community, which is skilled in beadwork, we pass down that knowledge to our younger generation,” she said.
Conclusion
Promoting and preserving Sabah’s traditional attire is a collective effort that requires the involvement of all stakeholders. By showcasing and celebrating our diverse ethnic identities and cultures, we can ensure the preservation of our rich cultural heritage for future generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the biggest challenges in preserving Sabah’s traditional attire?
A: Meeting requests from customers to modify the attire to give it a modern twist is one of the biggest challenges. Preserving the authenticity of the garment’s design is crucial.
Q: How can young Sabahans promote and showcase their traditional attire?
A: Young Sabahans can actively promote and showcase their traditional attire by wearing it proudly in public, sharing photos on social media, and participating in cultural events and festivals.
Q: How can parents encourage their children to appreciate and preserve Sabah’s traditional attire?
A: Parents can instil in their children a sense of love for their ancestral identity and traditions by passing down traditional skills and knowledge, sharing stories and history, and encouraging them to participate in cultural events and festivals.