KUCHING: The legacy of the late Puan Sri Juma'ani Tuanku Bujang, wife of Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg, has been honoured in a new book celebrating her pivotal role in reviving Sarawak songket and keringkam.
Juma'ani initiated the Sarawak heritage innovation project in 2018 to breathe new life into songket and keringkam, traditional textiles and embroidery of the state's Malay community.
Her efforts are now documented in a book titled The Revival of Sarawak Songket and Keringkam: Honouring Datuk Amar Juma'ani, which was launched at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly complex on Thursday (Nov 27).
In a heartfelt tribute, Abang Johari's daughter Dayang Norjihan recalled her late mother's passion for keringkam as both a cultural heritage and a cherished family heirloom.
She shared that one of her mother's prized possessions was a pink selayah (headscarf), which had been ordered on the day of her birth and later worn on her wedding day, fulfilling a promise to her mother.
State Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah praised Juma'ani's patronage of the songket and keringkam initiative, which built a comprehensive ecosystem for training artisans and promoting these textiles as sustainable heritage products.
"Today the effort reaches across Sarawak. As of this year, 1,022 weavers and embroiderers have been trained statewide—a remarkable testament to her legacy and leadership," he said.
Abdul Karim added that the book recognises Juma'ani's passion for rekindling a cultural flame and honours the artisans and communities who continue the tradition.
He called for ongoing efforts to train young artisans and safeguard traditional motifs and techniques for the future of songket and keringkam.
"With rising global visibility, Sarawak's textiles can contribute meaningfully to cultural tourism, creative industries and economic empowerment," he said.
