Malaysian keeps pis embroidery heritage alive by teaching it to women in Sabah

Crisna’s love for embroidery began when she was just a young girl, watching her mother and grandmother stitch intricate designs on cloth. Photos: The Star/Sheela Chandran

With less than 300 pis embroidery (kain tinohian) crafters in Kudat, Sabahan master crafter Crisna Mojupi, 54, is on a mission to pass on this cultural heritage to women in her community.

Determined to keep the traditional craft alive, Crisna decided to teach Rungus women in her village the skill of stitching pis embroidery in the hope that they can earn some extra money for their handcrafted work.