ENTERPRISE
THE UNIQUE OF IBAN MOTIF IN MAT MAKING, IN BORNEO
KUCHING: Nowadays, the motif of the Iban ethnic has become more popular due to its own uniqueness and specialty when compared to other tribal motifs.
The Iban motif has been adapted into various elements such as architecture, fashion or handmade crafts such as accessories that are made from beads, weaving handcraft such as baskets and even traditional mat.
Mat making incorporating Iban ethnic patterns has now piqued the interests of society and the demand for it has skyrocketed.
Simple patterns of Iban’s motif in mat making can lighten up the mood and give an aesthetic vibe for the room.
(Source: Facebook)
Janet Sudan, 34, one of the entrepreneurs who is running the mat making business, is also taking the opportunity to adapt the element of Iban motif in her mat design.
She used her aptitude in weaving any kind of handcraft before she started this mat making business two years ago.
Her grandmother had always been her source of inspiration to make traditional handicraft ever since she was a teenager.
Therefore, she is still under the tutelage of her grandmother to guide and teach her the ways in weaving the intricate pattern of Iban motifs.
Janet prepared the coloured mats before weaving them together.
(Source: Berita DIMENSi / Catherine Irene )
Janet said social media has helped her a lot when she was going to start this business.
“Before starting this business, I used Facebook to promote mat making by myself, then through Facebook, I had been successful in gaining a steady stream of customers,” she said.
Now, she uses Instagram and TikTok as an extra platform to promote her handmade products to reach more audiences on getting to know her business.
Elements of customization, from colour to design has been the strategy for Janet to entice future and existing customers to purchase her mats.
Some of the many intricate weaves of Iban ethnic patterns made by Madam Janet.
( Source: Facebook)
This is because other businesses that sell mats have patterns that are pre-designed and pre-produced. This leaves the customer who desires a different or customised pattern unable to have their requests fulfilled.
Although some of the previous customers have requested intricate patterns for their mat, She has never refused her customer’s request and accepted the challenge as a motivator to become more productive.
“Even though the Iban motif might be attractive and seem appealing to the customer, in traditional mat making, not all the patterns are allowed to become the design of the mat.
“The use of patterns of Iban motif should not be arbitrary if adapted because it has its own taboo in mat making according to Iban people’s belief,” she added.
The highest demand for the colours of the mat are black and white as well as purple and yellow, while the popular pattern that her previous customer always requested for their mat is “penan” pattern and “ idas” pattern.
Sample of “Idas” pattern for the customer reference (left) and one of the most popular patterns that is always used in Iban traditional mat making (right).
(Source: Berita DIMENSi / Catherine Irene )
Janet wished that if her business thrives one day, she wants to promote and teach other people about this art of weaving so that there will be more people that can continue this beautiful form of art.
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