MCC Actively Nurtures Young Talent To Keep Weaving Art Tradition Alive

KOTA BHARU, Sept 2 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Craft Council (MCC) is actively nurturing young talent in Kelantan to keep the traditional weaving art alive and prevent it from fading away.

MCC treasurer Ariza Mohd Yusoff said the initiative was carried out through The Textile Project (TTP), a community-based programme aimed at training skilled apprentices in craft arts, including kelingkan embroidery and songket weaving.

She said the initiative, which received full support from Yayasan Hasanah, involved four student recruitment sessions and spanned an 18-month implementation period.

“We started this project last April with a kelingkan embroidery course. The first session concluded last July, with 20 students successfully mastering the skills of producing traditional embroidery art after completing an intensive three-month course.

“Graduates of the course are not only able to produce kelingkan embroidery, but some have even earned up to RM3,000 for a single shawl,” she told Bernama at the Kelantan Textile and Malay Heritage Festival at Istana Balai Besar here.

Ariza, who is also the TTP project director, said the second intake, scheduled to begin at the end of this month, would focus on songket weaving.

“So far, only seven participants have signed up for the second session, while our target is 20. We hope more people will come forward to register, as this course is offered free of charge.

“Participants need not worry if they lack skills, as we will provide guidance from zero to hero. We will also assist in securing grants and promoting their artistic products to both local and international markets,” she said.

Ariza said the initiative not only strengthened the textile sector, which forms part of the national agenda in the country’s development policy, but also created economic opportunities for the local community, particularly for women and traditional textile art practitioners.

“Among the requirements to participate in this course are being a Malaysian citizen aged 18 and above and willing to fully commit throughout the programme. Those interested can obtain more information via MCC’s Facebook and Instagram pages,” she said.

--BERNAMA