Three-Day Ikat Textiles Symposium In Malaysia Attracts 25 Countries

Event & Conferences

Three-Day Ikat Textiles Symposium In Malaysia Attracts 25 Countries

Some 120 ikat textiles from 25 countries are on exhibition at Malaysia's Pullman Hotel from December 1 to 3.

The exhibition to be held in conjunction with the World Ikat Textiles Symposium 2017 will feature the best of Malaysian ikat textiles including 'Pua Kumbu' and 'Songket-Limar' as well as ikat textiles from countries such as Ivory Coast, Canada, the United States, 'mudmee' of Thailand and Li ikats of Hainan, China.

The three-day symposium themed 'Ties That Bind' is jointly organised by the World Crafts Council Asia Pacific, Kraftangan Malaysia and Society Atelier Sarawak.

At a press conference, Society Atelier Sarawak president Edric Ong said it was hoped that the event would encourage the new generation to appreciate the heritage of ikat textiles. Ikat is a dyeing technique used on fabric.

Ong said the organisers had invited experts from all over the world to enlighten participants on the latest knowledge on ikat textiles.

Among the speakers expected are Bina Rao from India, Dr Norwani Nawawi from Malaysia, Janet Rata Noel from Malaysia, Dr Sitthichai Smanchat and Meechai Taesujariya from Thailand, Lucia Catanes from the Philippines and Miyoko Kawahito from Japan.

"We have these experts who want to share the knowledge with the new generation coming in. Ikat textiles is part of our cultural heritage and we should preserve it or it would be lost. Apart from the symposium, we will also be having workshops that are divided into three categories namely weaving, basketry and natural dyes. The workshops will be led by prominent experts, both local and overseas," pointed Ong. He said a dozen weavers would be brought in from Ulu Kapit to showcase their talents during the forthcoming event. "And a group of 10 young weavers, who are mostly men, from Kanowit and Bintulu will be at the symposium to learn weaving," he said, adding that women were traditionally involved in weaving.

According to him, the workshops offer hands-on experience for participants and as such, students from tertiary institutions including Universiti Malaysia Sarawak and Lim Kok Wing University will be sponsored to attend the event. A gala dinner and a fashion show will be held too. Ong said the fashion show would showcase 17 designers including Sarawakian designers.

It is also learnt that a post-symposium tour to an Iban weaving longhouse Rumah Garie, Ulu Kapit will be held from Dec 4-8.

Participants of the tour will witness the traditional 'Ngar' mordanting ceremony of cotton threads.