Selangor Craft (Kembara Kraf Selangor 2015)

Fast becoming the craft hub, Tourism Selangor and Selangor Economic Planning Unit or Unit Perancang Ekonomi Negeri Selangor (UPEN) has embarked in yet another mission to differentiate and educate type of craft as well as introduce modern craft to the public, thus making Selangor the place and centre for modern craft.

I was introduced to the very first time of Selangor craft, being an ‘thorough bread anak Selangor’, am very much ignorant of what we have to offer unlike other states which I feel have a strong foothold in their craft and heritage, the likes of peranakan food, craft, architecture and culture for both Penang and Melaka famous all over the world, the Kelantan’s Wau Bulan craft and the renown Mak Yong dance art (that falls under the UNESCO Intangible heritage) or the Pua Kumbu print for Sarawak that has taken Malaysia to international level in fashion industry. After attending the Kembara Kraf Selangor, I can now be proud of Selangor craft that I have learnt and visited, and dare to shout-about. There are 3 types of craft that we’ve seen and I would personally like to share, namely :

• Tribal and Traditional Craft
• Modern Craft
• Timeless Craft

I will guide and take you step-by-step of what we as proud Selangorian have to offer and would want you to share with us what you have so that we can help broadcast it even more and further. The mission is to create, showcase and make Selangor the centre of excellent (COE) for modern craft; especially now, with the birth of the hipster joints/cafes and the need of an outlet for modern craft enthusiasts and entrepreneurs to showcase their beautiful produce.

Tribal and Traditional Craft/Art

We set sail to rediscover traditional craft made under My Pride by Jabatan Penjara Kajang or Kajang Prison Department. Among handicraft or handiwork products produce by them are baskets, batiks, songkets, chair, tables and ornaments made of wood, iron and ferro cement etc. 

We were also introduced to tribal wood and nature craft by the Mah Meri tribe in Pulau Carey and Pack Cik Sabri; the wood ring-maker.

Modern Craft/Art

This is easily relatable and will be a great favourite for yuppies ([Y]oung [U]rban [P]rofessional), it comes in wide range that covers everything but everything. We were awed with #AmalKufi sharing on String-art Kufi, a unique and modern style of kufi art as well as with #SewFabby; a fabric art concept and #LuvlyTouch where we learnt on Polymer Clay Art that helps to counter depression as it stimulates neuro senses.

Timeless Craft/Art

Pressed-flowers made famous by Puan Esiah Kaimun from Banting, using naturally dried and pressed flowers for artwork design. An everlasting craft that was established in 1983; started and practiced in Japan; known as Oshibana, that gained popularity in England since the last 30 years or more. 

I’ve also learnt that historically, people occupied in small-scale production of handcraft goods are known as craftsman or craftswoman which are now being replaced by the term artisan or journeyman/woman. Started from passion or as an hobby, most of them has transformed this passion of theirs to a money generated hobby and became an entrepreneur. This exercise is to help broadcast them out and the availability of all these modern craft in Selangor.

I will share more on respective craft in my next blog entry.

Kembara Kraf Selangor Media Fam Trip is in collaboration with Tourism Selangor and UPEN with #GayaTravel as media coordinator.