Young People Attracted To Trendy Handicraft Items

By Sakini Mohd Said KUALA TERENGGANU (Terengganu, Malaysia), Dec 12 (Bernama) -- Baskets and food covers made from the leaves of Mengkuang (screw palm or screw pine) are some of the popular handicraft items in Malaysia. Mengkuang is a large shrub of the genus, Pandanus, which is found in the coastal regions of Southeast Asia. This plant plays an important role in many cultures and traditions of rural coastal communities in the region. In addition, this plant is used to make traditional handicraft items. The Mengkuang weaving industry used to be a big cottage industry in Malaysia, where villagers would produce handicraft items to supplement their household income. Over the past few years, the world has witnessed a decline in the demand for products made out of Mengkuang. HERITAGE However, this industry, which has been in existence for three centuries, is not going to fade away. The local authorities are working hard to preserve the nation’s heritage. Handicraft items now have their own commercial value, apart from being offered as attractive souvenirs to foreign tourists. Aware of this factor, Kraftangan Malaysia (Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation) has embarked on research and development programmes to boost the demand for handicraft products. VALUE During the recent Malaysian Crafts Promotion 2012 at the Mesra Mall in Kemaman, in Peninsular Malaysia's east coast state of Terengganu, visitors got the opportunity to look at a variety of handicraft products. Many visitors said the items were beautiful, attractive and trendy. The handicraft items that were exhibited had bright colours, which were attractive to the younger generation. In fact, handicraft items complement sophisticated gadgets that young people carry these days. Some of the handicraft items on display were cell phone, laptop and iPad covers. These handicraft products have also penetrated the international market. Khairul Hafizi Naharuddin, Director of the Terengganu Kraftangan Malaysia, said the organisation needs to come up with a variety of handicraft items. "We have requested people in this industry to reduce the supply of mats and other traditional items. We have requested them to make more handbags and other trendy items," he told Bernama. TRADITIONAL FEATURES Many people may feel that traditional elements will be lost when the focus is on producing trendy items. This is not true. The traditional features play an important role in preserving the Malaysian heritage, apart from promoting the local culture to foreign tourists, according to Khairul Hafizi. He said the traditional elements are retained in the design of the handicraft items. "Despite technological advances, traditional features need to be included in the design of the handicraft items, to preserve the culture and to differentiate the products from items made in other countries (such as the Philippines)," he said. He said handicraft items, including those made in Terengganu, are authentic. They are purely made out of Mengkuang, without the addition of other materials. ASSISTANCE Kraftangan Malaysia has taken steps to ensure that handicraft items of good quality are produced. The organisation provides assistance to people in the industry by enhancing their skills. "Research indicates that these handicraft items have immense commercial value in the local and international markets. In Terengganu, the turnover of these products reached RM120,000 (US$39,295), in the first eight months of 2012," he said. Meanwhile, Asmah Ismail, an entrepreneur who looks into the production of Mengkuang handicraft items in Rhu Rendang, said the incentives and assistance provided by Kraftangan Malaysia has rejuvenated this industry. She admits that her handicraft business has picked up after the agency gave her ample guidance. "The Mengkuang handicraft business has immense potential. Sometimes, the demand is overwhelming. Although Kraftangan Malaysia provides assistance by enlightening us on innovative designs, I try to maintain the traditional features in my products," she said. -- BERNAMA