Simple Royal Greeting Leaves Lasting Impact On Local Craft Artisan

KUCHING, March 25 (Bernama) -- A simple “Hi Helena” from the Tengku Ampuan of Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, during her visit to the Borneo Sarawak Craft Festival 2025 here became a defining moment for a local craft entrepreneur.

For Helena David Kalum, 54, an Iban from Betong, the greeting was more than a casual remark, it was a recognition of her journey in the craft industry, which began unexpectedly.

“I was surprised when the Tengku Ampuan of Pahang greeted me, but at the same time felt very proud. I did not expect Her Highness to remember me, as I had accompanied her and taught her daughter, Tengku Puteri Jihan Azizah Athiyatullah, bead-making during London Craft Week 2023,” she told Bernama recently.

Helena said her interest in crafts began in 2015 through a ceramics course taken to fill her free time, which later became the foundation of her business.

“At first, I was just trying it out, but when I saw the results, I realised it could become a business. I shared my ceramic craft on social media such as Facebook, and the response was very encouraging,” she said.

She later expanded by participating in expos as a registered entrepreneur, with support from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) and the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation Sarawak branch.

Her main products are Sarawak-motif ceramic plates, reflecting her desire to preserve Iban heritage, while her other products include beadwork and ceramic vases.

She said her first sales exceeding RM1,000 marked a turning point, motivating her to grow the business, which has since recorded daily sales of up to RM10,000.

“Ceramic plates are not merely decorative items but carry significant historical value in Iban society, including their use in traditional ceremonies such as miring and Gawai.

“In the past, owning handmade ceramic plates also symbolised a family’s wealth in the longhouse. Today, antique plates are difficult to obtain,” she said.

Helena said she remains committed to preserving the art for future generations despite the complex and time-consuming process.

Her ceramic plates, particularly those featuring traditional Iban motifs, take up to seven days to complete and are priced between RM150 and RM750.

“Each piece features traditional motifs such as bunga terung, teku engkelait and buah lelambak pecah lapan, reflecting the identity of the Iban community,” she added.

Since 2019, Helena has also been sharing her expertise as an instructor for students at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), while training rural communities in bead-making and handicrafts.

Her work gained international recognition when she was invited to London Craft Week 2023 to conduct workshops, and she was also a special guest alongside the Queen’s delegation, in addition to teaching Tengku Puteri Jihan the craft.

Her creations have also been presented as souvenirs to Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, sold at the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office in Singapore, and selected to decorate the headquarters of Shell in Miri.

Today, Helena continues her craft through Helena Craft Borneo at CityOne Megamall - not just as a business, but as a way to preserve Iban heritage for future generations.

-- BERNAMA