Siblings who weave state heritage textile

Norhulnadia (left) and Mohamad Sharil, dressed in Kain Benang Johor, being introduced as two of the seven top weavers during the launch of the Legacy Johor project in collaboration with Yayasan Johor Corporation (JCorp). — Courtesy photo

TWO siblings from Kluang, Johor, are keeping the art of weaving alive.

Norhulnadia Ahmad and her brother Mohamad Sharil produce Kain Benang Johor, a traditional textile that requires patience, precision and skill to generate.

The 37-year-old said her weaving journey began when she enrolled at the Na­­tional Craft Institute (IKN).

“At first, I was not interested but when I joined IKN in 2009, I started learning and understood how weaving works. From there, my interest developed naturally.”

After completing her studies in 2012, she joined the Johor Heri­tage Foundation in 2015, where she became actively involved in weaving demonstrations and heritage programmes.

“I used to bring my younger brother along for events or during school holidays.

“It allowed him to observe the weaving process closely. After he watched me weave, his interest grew slowly.”

Mohamad Sharil, 23, was first exposed to Kain Benang Johor in 2017.

“I started weaving after completing my SPM in 2020.

Mohamad Sharil at the loom weaving Kain Benang Johor.

“After that I was offered a six-month training stint by the Johor Heritage Foundation which I accepted.”

Mohamad Sharil said producing Kain Benang Johor involved eight processes.

“It starts from dyeing the yarn. The weaving process takes about two weeks depending on the complexity of the motifs.”

Meanwhile, Zaharah Zakaria, 34, from Terengganu, said she became interested in weaving Kain Benang Johor after learning about the craft through social media and friends while studying weaving at IKN.

“The techniques I learned at IKN helped me adapt easily to weaving Kain Benang Johor after I joined Yayasan Warisan Johor.

“Kain Benang Johor has a simpler, chequered design compared to Terengganu songket, which usually features fuller and more intricate motifs.”

Zaharah said the Johor fabric was commonly worn for formal functions, weddings and festive occasions, but could also be styled in modern ways without losing its traditional identity.

“It can be tailored into traditional attire or contemporary designs, as long as the original motif and etiquette are preserved.”

All three weavers agree that more exhibitions, school outreach programmes and public events were needed to spark interest among younger generations and ensure the continuity of Kain Benang Johor as a heri­tage textile.