REVIVING BALAU HERITAGE: SIDS KUCHING BRANCH EMBARKS ON THE TRAINING IN TRADITIONAL ‘KUAS BALAU’ CRAFT

https://www.utusanborneo.com.my/2026/08/15/sids-kuching-anjur-sesi-pertama-bengkel-kuas-balau

KUCHING, 14 August 2026 – Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS) Kuching Branch successfully organised the first session of a three-day Workshop on Kuas Balau that was held from 7^th -9^th August 2026 at Makeramai Makerspace, Plaza Merdeka Shopping Centre.  The training was supported by the Dana Mudahcara Warisan dan Kesenian under the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP) and SIDS Headquarters.   The workshop focused on heritage preservation and education of the making of the craft Kuas Balau. It is hoped that this workshop will promote cultural preservation of the Kuas Balau as well as empowering our Sarakup / Dayak women economically and also enables members to strengthen our social network among each other.  Another group of Sarakup members will attend the second workshop session tentatively to be held on 18^th-20^th September 2026.

The first workshop gathered 32 participants, comprising 21 members from 12 units under SIDS Kuching Branch, three direct members, three SIDS HQ EXCO members, and five SIDS Kuching Branch Exco members.  Guided by Certified Trainer Madam Angelia David Langie of Carana Enterprise, participants acquired practical hands-on skills in crafting the traditional Kuas Balau.

The workshop focused on preserving the traditional Kuas Balau—a distinct heritage garment of the southern Balau Iban community—by teaching authentic crafting techniques. Beyond cultural preservation, the program serves as a catalyst for economic self-reliance, enabling participants to turn traditional craftsmanship into viable income-generating enterprises while building strong community networks.

The program concluded on 9^th August with a Certificate Presentation and Closing Ceremony officiated by Guest of Honour, YBhg Dato Ir. Alice Jawan Empaling, SIDS Chairperson, who also highlighted the broader SIDS vision for grassroots cultural empowerment.

In her closing remarks, the SIDS Chairperson called for the preservation and modern adaptation of the southern Balau community’s Baju Kuas, mirroring the success of the Tangu (Marik Empang) and Baju Ujan in contemporary fashion.  She highlighted the workshop's dual power to elevate women’s economic independence through commercial craft skills while serving as a vital networking platform to strengthen sisterhood across all SIDS units.

In her speech, Puan Bunie Japah, Chairperson of SIDS Kuching branch who is also the organising chairman of the workshop, extends its sincere gratitude to MTCP for funding the event and supporting grassroots cultural initiatives in Sarawak.

Through every stitch, SIDS continues to prove that preserving cultural identity is not about standing still, but moving forward together empowered, connected, and proudly rooted in tradition.