PHOTO: AHMAD ISKANDAR
KUCHING: Just like the ‘pua kumbu’, it is just as important to initiate efforts to preserve the art of ‘keringkam’ said Minister for Welfare, Community Well-Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah.
The ‘keringkam’ is more well-known as ‘tudung keringkam’ – a veil that is embroidered with gold thread and is prominent among the Malay communities in Sarawak.
Nowadays, it is mostly worn for formal ceremonies such as weddings and engagements and the gold thread increases the value which could also be a family heirloom.
“It plays an important role in the culture of Sarawak and we wish to document the history of ‘keringkam’ for the future generations.
“Therefore, we have to make efforts to ensure that we preserve the stories on ‘keringkam’ as well as the art of making it so it can be handed down to the new generation of weavers,” said Fatimah during the launching of ‘My Keringkam Stories’ at Grand Margherita Hotel here yesterday.
She also suggested to think of ways to popularise and promote it to the public.
“We can collaborate and work together to preserve this because it will become part of the heritage and legacy of the Malays in Sarawak,” she said.
