Borneo natives have a diversity of cultures. Every tribe has rich heritage. We are famous in making decorative arts, from weaving, wood carving to tattooing.

Native textile – Pua Kumbu

Sample

Pua Kumbu (blanket) is the famous local native textile and the greatest manifestation of Borneo people creativity. It is traditionally woven by the Iban women.

Pua Kumbu is made from individually dyed threads on a back strap loom. The form of weaving is unique both in the technique and design.

The design is inspired by the dreams and ancient animist beliefs. The weaver creates the patterns in the fusion form of the real and imagination.

Wood Carving

Ajang Kayan wood carving

Wood carvings are normally used for offerings for religious festivals and rituals or to decorate the longhouses.

Each of the many different tribes has its own unique designs. Ornate carved hornbills are produced by the Penan for the hornbill festival, the Melanau carve the sickness figures for use in healing rituals, the Orang Ulu decorate their longhouses with beautifully carved panels and pillars with wildlife designs, etc.

Hardwood is normally used in all of the wood carvings.

Beadwork

Our Beadwork

Lun Bawang and Long Tuma peoples are famous beadwork craft producers dated back centuries ago. They make their own ceramic beads and use them to decorate their costumes, baby carriers, ladies bags and sun hats.

Women’s dance costumes have colorful artistic impressions of dogs and dragons embroidered in beads onto a background of black or red velvet.

Iban Basket

Rattan Baskets

There are many types of baskets, usually strapped to the back of the natives. The basket can be rigid as those made of bamboo among the Dusun, or pliable as the haversack like those found among the Bidayuh.

Rottan Mats

Mats

Bidayuh, a gentle, mild mannered people are famous for their mats made from rattan and beaten tree bark, woven together to produce a hardy floor covering with a unique texture.

The Bidayuh also weave split rattan stems to make intricately plaited baskets and colorful mats.

The baskets and mats are usually artistically embellished with attractive designs, even if the colors are limited to black and red.

Pottery

Pottery

Pottery is a tradition in indigenous culture. The Iban, Murut and Kelabit potters mould clay into ceramic stools, drinking water cisterns, decorative jars and vases, lamp holders, candle holders, ashtrays, teapots and mugs.