The Pua Kumbu is a popular native handicraft

The Pua Kumbu is a popular native handicraft of the Ibans, one of the indigenous group of Sarawak, Malaysia. Translated literally pua kumbu means a blanket or a coverlet.This colourful cloth, woven with intricate combinations of various designs and colours, however, serves, more significant functions other than that of providing cover. In the olden days, the pua kumbu was very much an integral part of the day affair and special rituals of the Iban society. One or more pieces of pua kumbu were hung prominently in the midst of joyous gatherings such as harvest or weddings. The art of making pua kumbu is a much-valued tradition passed on from mothers to daughters.
Lagend has it that about 24 generations ago, Singgalang Burong, the God Of War, taught his grandson, Surong Gunting, how to use the most sacred of all the pua, the Lebur Api, at the end of a war. The heads of their fallen enemies were received ceremonially on this cloth, which had been dyed a deep red colour. This pua was woven at Batu Gelong, the longhouse which was home to the goddesses of weaving, namely Kuman, Indai Abang, and Lullong.
The pua kumbu has come a long way since its magical and mythical beginnings. This beautiful textile is often seen at major fashion shows regionally and internationally. A true taste of Sarawak, the pua kumbu has stood steadfastly and proudly in the face of modernization.

ENJOY KUCHING FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

BOULEVARD

WATERFRONT

SPRING

Kuching is an excellent place to buy Borneo arts, crafts and curios. Particular items to look out for are Iban Pua Kumbu(hand-woven rugs), wooden hornbill carvings used in rituals, and silver jewellery, Bidayuh basket weaving, Orang Ulu beadwork and woodcarving, and Penan blowpipes and mats. Most of the antique and curio shops are scattered along Main Bazaar, with a few in the Padungan area. Whilst a few are laid out like elegant galleries, most are crammed full with every possible variety of Sarawakian bric-a-brac, and items from Brunei, Kalimantan and Sabah. Fabriko, set in a lovingly restored Chinese shophouse on Main Bazaar, has interesting souvenirs, exclusive textiles and fashion items downstairs whilst the upper two floors house a gallery and showroom. Other well-established outlets on Main Bazaar include Native Arts. Nelson's Gallery, Rainforest, Sarawak House and Arts of Asia, all offering quality antiques and handicrafts at reasonable prices. The Telang Usan hotel has a small outlet specialising in Orang Ulu and Penan crafts, including some excellent modern beadwork and traditional headgear.

Prices of handicrafts are not always fixed so you may have to bargain. If you have the time it's best to shop around and get a rough idea before buying. Certain antiques require an export permit from Sarawak Museum. The more established shops can assist with this and with shipping arrangements(if required). Most art and craft shops close on Sundays.

For more general shopping, the main malls are Riverside Shopping Centre(next to the Crown Plaza), with includes a Parkson department store, Sarawak Plaza(next to the Holiday Inn) and Tun Jugah(opposite Sarawak Plaza) which has a good range of outlets selling men's and women's fashions. Other good places to go bargain hunting are Electra House(next to the Covered Market), Wisma Hopoh(Jln P.Ramlee) and Wisma Satok(Jln Satok), Wisma Seberkas and new shopping centre Spring and Boulevard.

20,000 take part in state-level National Day celebration

By Leyana Talif
KUCHING: The State Stadium at Petra Jaya reverberated with shouts of “Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!” yesterday when about 20,000 people took part in the state-level National Day (the 51st) celebration.
DARING MALAYSIANS: Two of the jumpers steer their way towards the middle of the stadium.
People from all walks of life congregated in the stadium where they were entertained with songs, dances, and instrumental music involving 300 students of Kuching Polytechnic, a 250-member marching band and 50 children from Tabika Kemas Kuching.
The celebration was made more memorable by the setting of a new record by three Base (Building, Antenna, Span and Earth) jumpers from the KL Tower Base and Parachute Jumpers.
The parachutists leapt from a Hornbill Skyways helicopter from the lowest height ever which was 1,500 feet.
These dare-devil were Mohd Idros Mohd Yusop, 42, Zainal Chik, 45 and Nik Khairul Fahmi Nik Bolia, 33.
Another interesting feature of the feat was three jumpers clad in Sarawak traditional attire including a ‘baju Melayu’, full Iban warrior regalia, and Chinese costume.
The jumpers wowed the crowd with their bull’s-eye landing in the centre of the stadium.
Once they were back on terra firma, they joined a group of seven ‘little astronauts’ from Lodge Primary School to present Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud with the Jalur Gemilang.
They were here on Aug 3 together with seven fellow jumpers who were involved in Menara Pelita Base jump event which was part of the annual ‘KL Tower International Jump Malaysia 2008’.
A total of 85 contingents comprising government departments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and higher learning institutions participated in the National Day parade.
Among them were contingents from Human Resource Ministry, Chief Minister’s Department, Sarawak Federal Secretary Office, Inland Revenue Board, National Registration Department and Universiti Teknologi Mara Sarawak Campus.
Also present at the event were Head of State Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Muhammad Salahuddin and wife Toh Puan Norkiah and wife of Chief Minister Datuk Amar Puan Sri Laila Taib. Borneo Post.