Sole male participant wants to preserve traditional sewing
PENAMPANG: The ability and interest to sew is not predetermined by gender, but is instead something that can be enjoyed by everyone, opined Kota Belud native Dallbons Jalabid.
He said anyone can sew as long as they have the interest and are willing to learn.
“Anyone can sew, even guys. Sewing is not determined by gender; it’s something that comes from within.
“I picked up the interest from watching my mother sew handicrafts made of tree bark, and also by observing my friends,” Dallbons said when met at the closing ceremony of the Sabah Cultural Board’s Kursus Menjahit Pakaian Tradisi 2017 (Traditional Costume Sewing Course).
Dallbons told the press he first learned sewing techniques from YouTube, before getting certified from attending courses.
He has been sewing for two years now and currently runs a home-based tailoring business from his residence near here.
The only male participant in the traditional clothing sewing course, Dallbons said he found great importance in attending the course, to learn a dying craft.
“Sewing traditional clothing is an art that is gradually being forgotten by the younger generation.
“It’s no longer viewed as an essential skill, so this course is a great initiative to preserve our heritage,” said Dallbons.
Earlier, Sabah Cultural Board chairman Tan Sri Wences Angang said the clothes sewn during the course of this year’s programme were from the Penampang Kadazan, Tambunan Dusun, Brunei, Papar Kadazan and Keningau Murut Nabai ethnic groups.
He affirmed Dallbons’ belief that the sewing course would raise the status of culture and art, in addition to allowing local communities to enrich and preserve their respective ethnic heritage.
“I hope this programme will continue to be organised in the future so that more ethnic groups can get involved.
“I also hope participants of this course will continue to practise what they’ve learned so that they can develop and promote the uniqueness of their culture,” he added.