Growing up, Mohamad Sharil Ahmad never imagined himself sitting at a manual loom, carefully interlacing threads to weave intricate fabrics for a living.
The 24-year-old had initially set his sights on a career in information technology after finishing Form Five.
“I was introduced to the craft by my elder sister, who has been a weaver with Yayasan Warisan Johor (YWJ) for about 10 years.
“I had no interest in it at first because watching my sister weave, I thought it looked difficult,” he told StarMetro.
Curiosity eventually got the better of him and once he gave it a try, he fell in love with the art form.
“I realised it was actually a fun yet technical process.
“Weaving requires a lot of concentration and precise calculations to ensure the threads align properly, so the lines and floral motifs look uniform.
“If a mistake is spotted later,
we have to retrace our steps and unpick the fabric thread by thread to fix it,” said Mohamad Sharil, who has been weaving for six years at YWJ’s Galeri Tenun Johor in the Sultan Abu Bakar Heritage Complex in Jalan Sungai Chat, Johor Baru.
He believes young people should make a greater effort to understand traditional crafts and not feel intimidated by these art forms.
“The key is taking the first step.
“Sitting down and doing it is when the passion truly takes root,” he said.
As one of seven weavers at YWJ, he encourages his peers to give weaving a chance.
One friend he persuaded discovered a natural talent for the craft and stayed on to train alongside him.
Mohamad Sharil said his journey had brought moments of quiet pride, particularly when he sees the textile made into attire worn by royalty.
“I felt a huge sense of pride when Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, wore a pink baju kurung made from the Kain Benang Johor that I wove for a Hari Raya Aidilfitri event at Istana Negara in March,” he said.
For fellow weaver Siti Aisyah Ibrahim, 30, entering the trade was initially about learning a traditional skill to help preserve local culture.
Formally trained at the National Craft Institute, Siti Aisyah has been a weaver for five years.
She said she gradually fell in love with the craft because of the intricate work and history behind the textiles.
“A piece of Kain Benang Johor measuring about 2.1m can take about two months to complete, with the process involving multiple stages, from preparing the threads to working the loom.
“It takes a lot of patience. We cannot work too fast or too slowly because it directly affects the weave, and any mistakes will show on the textile.
“Weaving has taught me to take my time and not rush things – a lesson that applies to life as well,” she said.
Siti Aisyah hopes Kain Benang Johor and traditional woven fabrics will stay relevant to younger generations.
“Woven textiles can become more accessible through affordable, contemporary products such as shirts, bags and neckties.
“I aim to continue honing my skills and create more awareness about the beauty and historical value of woven fabrics.
“The craft is much more than an old tradition – it is a legacy I hope to carry forward so it is never lost,” she said.
