By Hasnah Jusid
MUKAH, Nov 24 -- It originates from a Melanau village in Kampung Telian, Mukah, but now ‘Batik Linut’, which is known for its uniqueness, especially the use of rumbia or sago flour, to create motifs on the fabric is carving its name on the world stage through the city of Miri.
Lamin Dana Sdn Bhd managing director Diana Rose said Miri was selected to promote the product because it is a cosmopolitan city that serves as a major gateway for the northern region to go abroad.
“Miri has direct flights to Singapore and is strategically located, being neighbours to Brunei and Sabah. The high purchasing power of its residents is also a factor. So, making ‘linut batik’ a signature product for Miri is a good move.
"It is a win-win situation for us. We share our heritage and soul with Miri and the city has an attractive tourism product to offer,” she told Bernama.
She said the batik was an innovative effort and could not be compared with the traditional batik in other states.
Diana said Batik Linut was first introduced in April 2019 in conjunction with Borneo Textile Week in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, and then at the Kaul Mukah Festival before it was promoted in Singapore in conjunction with the opening of the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office in the republic in August 2019.
Recently, when this Bernama reporter went to Lamin Dana Cultural Lodge, which is about 143 kilometres from Sibu, its residence manager, Andrea James, told her what made Batik Linut special.
James said the uniqueness of the the Batik Linut is the use of linut, also known as rumbia, or sago, instead of wax that is used in other batik making process, to design the motifs on the fabric.
She said linut acts as a substitute for wax where it can act as a dye and prevent water from penetrating the parts of the fabric which has to be left un-dyed due to its sticky and thick consistency.
"At the same time, fabric that is soaked in a solution of linut and dye can produce more attractive patterns and colours," she added.
-- BERNAMA
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