Unesco recognition for ‘Songket Keringkam’ sought
KUCHING: Sarawakians welcome the nomination of Songket Keringkam Sarawak to get United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation ( Unesco)’s recognition under the ‘ Representative List Convention 2003’.
In stating this, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg points out the nomination as an initiative by the National Heritage Department, with assistance from Malaysian Arts and Cultural Activists Association – Kuching.
According to him, the Sarawak government regards ‘ Songket Keringkam’ as a part of Sarawakian heritage, of which the history spans over generations and in this respect, it has the potential to gain world- class recognition because its cultural values have high impact on the local community.
As such, he assures all that the Sarawak government is committed to helping the industry develop, and also introducing it to wider markets, domestically and internationally.
“Through a committee that has already been set up, the Sarawak government is prepared to inject funds into developing the songket industry, apart from introducing motifs and designs that have native features.
“The ‘Songket Keringkam Sarawak’ has different designs compared with songket from other states,” said the chief minister, adding that towards this objective, training and songket skills would be provided to ‘Songket Keringkam’ makers, as well as to any ‘Anak Sarawak’ ( Children of Sarawak) who are interested to venture into the industry.
The cooperation between the Centre of Technical Excellence (Centexs) and Old Kuching Smart Heritage (OKSHE) with Universiti Malaysia Sarawak ( Unimas) and Tun Abdul Razak Teachers Training Institute Samarahan Campus, would prepare the training module for the songketmaking community through technical-weaving programme at Centexs, while Malaysian Arts and Cultural Activists Association – Kuching would continue to promote ‘Songket Keringkam’ to the world.