KENINGAU: Whereas typically missed, the handicraft business is a beneficial lifeline for many individuals dwelling in areas depending on tourism.
In any case, guests are prone to buy handicrafts to recollect their journey, giving locals a method of securing an trustworthy earnings.
Moreover, the handicraft business additionally helps to protect native tradition, with the continued manufacturing of native textiles and ceramics.
When visiting Sabah, one spot the place you’ll find all of the knick-knacks you might ever need is the Pusat Kraftangan Sabah (PKS), the epicentre of the state’s rising handicraft business.
Partly a gallery and partly a manufactory, PKS is price a go to, whether or not you’re a solo traveller or are main a big tour group.
Along with providing a big number of handicrafts on the market, this place provides you beneficial perception into how these merchandise are made.
The concept for the centre was first conceived in 2010, with the target to spice up Sabah’s fledgling however promising handicraft business.
The centre recruits and trains locals, particularly unemployed ladies, to turn out to be artisans, by way of the handicraft-making programs taught right here.
PKS additionally collaborates with native universities within the cultivation of Sabahan rattan and bamboo; each are important in handicraft manufacturing.
When you wander to the rear of the principle constructing, you’ll find the centre’s nursery and even study a factor or two there.
What’s there to do for a customer although? There are three galleries within the centre, particularly the Textile Gallery, the Handicraft Gallery and the Digital Gallery.
The Textile Gallery is price exploring if you happen to’re into all issues style, as this a part of the centre focuses on Sabah’s distinctive sense of favor.
Right here, you possibly can see the assorted basic outfits of Sabah’s indigenous folks, in addition to modernised takes which nonetheless incorporate conventional components.
The Handicraft Gallery homes all that Sabah has to supply by way of ceramics, weaving, furnishings and glassware.
In case you are keen on amassing kitschy stuff from the locations you go to, this gallery ought to offer you an concept of what you should convey dwelling.
And the Digital Gallery is the place you possibly can see native artisans incorporating trendy know-how within the manufacture of conventional merchandise.
It used to take numerous effort and time to make high quality garments again within the day, however industrial printers and dryers have rendered the method quicker and extra environment friendly.
Other than the galleries, guests can pop into the workshops there, the place you’ll find artisans onerous at work.
From batik to fridge magnets, you should buy these handicrafts recent off the manufacturing line in addition to ask the artisans about their work.
And if you happen to want to attempt your hand at it, you truly can! There are handicraft-making cubicles arrange for guests, for a small worth.
Think about your self a painter? Have a go at portray premade however uncoloured batik with any colors you so want.
Have nimble fingers? Check out weaving and see what you get. And if you need one thing simpler, be happy to stay with colouring fridge magnets.
And naturally, when you’re carried out with your personal masterpiece, you’re free to convey your completed handicraft again dwelling with you.
Do you have to not really feel assured about making your personal, simply cease by the centre’s reward store, the place crafts are bought at affordable costs.
Both approach, a visit to PKS is unquestionably price your time, given the way it helps native Sabahans and affords you an opportunity to study one thing new and enjoyable your self.
Pusat Kraftangan Sabah
Jalan Apin-Apin, KM5,
89007 Keningau, Sabah
Working hours: 8am-5pm (Mondays-Fridays)
Contact: 87 332186/ 87 332185
