Weaver Asmah Ismail, 64, demonstrating how to make a mengkuang mat. - Photo: Bernama
KUALA TERENGGANU: At one corner of the Kraftangan Malaysia booth at the Terengganu Madani Rakyat programme (PMR), an elderly woman could be seen diligently weaving coloured strips of mengkuang leaves into a mat, strand by strand.
Though her face and hands are etched with the lines of age, her vision remains sharp, and her fingers deftly weave intricate patterns into the mengkuang mat, a piece of heritage and tradition that is slowly fading into obscurity.
Asmah Ismail, 64, admitted that there are now very few people skilled in mengkuang weaving, and the younger generation is generally uninterested in learning the craft as a career, believing it does not offer a sustainable source of income.
A close-up of Asmah weaving mengkuang strips into a mat. - Photo: Bernama
"We are lacking in mengkuang craft artisans. As far as I know, there are only two of us, including myself, who are actively weaving full-time. The rest mostly do it on a part-time basis.
"Perhaps the lack of interest, combined with the meticulous nature of the weaving process - often seen as tedious - has discouraged many young people from pursuing it as a career," she told Bernama when met at the event at Pasar Payang here.
Having woven mats for the past 44 years, she said many people are unaware that mengkuang-based products such as handbags, home décor items, mats, and bunga telur are now seeing growing demand, allowing her to earn between RM3,000 and RM10,000 a month.
Asmah has to hire seven workers to help her cope with the steady stream of customer orders, particularly during major events or programmes held in Terengganu or other states.
"In the past, mengkuang products were limited to items like fans, slippers, and rombong (baskets), but when I entered the industry, I expanded the range to include items such as handbags, bunga telur, and document bags," she said.
Asmah showing off some of her mengkuang products. - Photo: Bernama
Asmah, who learnt to weave from her mother and grandmother, incorporates 44 floral motifs in her work, including the tiger paw motif, clove motif, and the Cik Kedah Bersila motif.
She also expressed her gratitude that many people, especially art enthusiasts, are willing to pay a premium for mengkuang woven products, noting that a medium-sized roll mat she sells can fetch up to RM250.
"If someone truly appreciates the art, they won't try to bargain. I once sold a large roll mat for RM800," said Asmah, who operates a workshop at her home in Kampung Rhu Rendang, Marang, where she also conducts weaving courses.
She also described the three-day Terengganu PMR, which concludes Saturday (July 12), as an excellent platform to spark interest among the younger generation in the art of mengkuang weaving.
Meanwhile, Terengganu Kraftangan Malaysia director, Md Azrul Hussein, said the handicraft industry, particularly mengkuang weaving, in the state is now largely pursued by artisans aged 50 and above.
"We have around 20 mengkuang weaving artisans in Terengganu, and the majority of them are over the age of 50. Only about two or three are from the younger generation," he said.
The three-day Terengganu PMR, which kicked off on Thursday (July 10), concluded Saturday with a closing ceremony officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Themed "Pembangunan Madani, Rakyat Sejahtera", the programme is organised by the Prime Minister's Office through the Performance Acceleration and Coordination Unit, in strategic collaboration with the Works Ministry and the Implementation Coordination Unit of the Prime Minister's Department. - Bernama
Some of the handicraft items that can be made from mengkuang. - Photo: Bernama
