Penan ladies take Sukma as chance to sell their handicrafts

MIRI: While many members of the public make their way to Miri City Stadium to cheer their beloved contingent this 18th Sukma, some are taking the opportunity to generate some income.

Six Penan ladies from Tutoh Apoh are among those promoting and selling their handicrafts there.

“We come all the way from Tutoh Apoh with our crafts. They are all handmade,” said one of the ladies, Jonita Ayat, when met by The Borneo Post yesterday.

She and her team of six Penan ladies will always use events like this to promote their handicrafts.

“We see this as an opportunity to not only generate some income, but also promote Sarawak to outsiders and members of contingents from other states,” she said.

Among items they sell at their stall are rattan mats and baskets, handbags, beads such as necklaces, earrings and rings.

Elaborating, Jonita who is in her 50s said since opening their stall at Miri City Stadium on July 19, most of the crafts sold were small items as they are easier to carry home.

“There were customers, especially from other states, who wanted to buy big items like rattan mats or baskets, but they worried that they might have problem taking the items into aeroplanes, so they had to settle for smaller things,” she said.

She added that throughout their stay in Miri, they put up at the homes of friends and relatives.

“Whatever amount we make through our sales, we will have to minus the cost of our transportation, which we have to pay once we are done trading here,” she said, adding that the final day of the games in Miri will be July 30.

Whatever they cannot sell throughout the period will be taken back to Tutoh Apoh, which will also incur cost, she continued.

“We always look for opportunities like this. For this event, we were invited by the Agriculture Department to trade here,” she said.

Whenever she is not selling at events like this, she sells her crafts at home in Tutoh Apoh, but the sale is not as good.

Another trader, Irene Ungan, a Kenyah, said her bead handicrafts were quite popular among members of the public there.

“Many bought my handmade keychains to give to their friends, as souvenirs from Miri and Sarawak,” she said.

Unlike Jonita, Irene lives in Miri and spends most of her time making handicrafts.

She also sells the crafts from home when she is not participating in any event.

Hasbi (ninth left) with fire victims after the presentation of donations in the presence of others including Goon Tee (third left).

Beautiful traditional woven baskets being sold at Jonita’s stall.

Jonita at her handicrafts stall.