Orang Ulu Beadswork

Pencil holder placed on a beaded table mat.

Sarawak is increasingly famous for its beadswork. I find that the 'Orang Ulu' comprising in majority the Kayan, Kenyah and Kelabit of Sarawak have developed a high level of artistry in their beadswork. Today I met a wholesale trader specialising in Borneo beadswork. Below are samples of modern beadswork available as souveniers at many of the local handicrafts shops in Kuching, Sarawak.

The motifs vary from mythical animals, birds, dragons and patterns from plant life like flowers, fern fronds and shapes of leaves. The patterns and motifs are typical Borneoan in origin and so is the choice of colours. The above rectangular table mats come in various sizes. Square ones ( 30x30cm) and large rectangular pieces ( 60x150cm).

Trinklets from beads like these are popularly displayed in cars.

Kuching Garden Scents

Wooden platter with scented flowers.

Went shopping for a wooden platter yesterday at the Kuching waterfront's handicrafts and sovenier shops. Now you can find lots of Sarawak's multi-layered cakes called 'kek lapis' sold at the sidewalk along the shops too.  The lady on the right sells such cakes. These cakes appear to be an important 'export' item of Kuching tourism currently.

CU View of Kuching's multi-layered cakes called "Kek Lapis" in Malay.

(Note: The price tag is in Malaysian Ringgit currency)

I finally got a wooden platter from one one the shops and  used it to display fresh cut flowers especially scented ones for room or study fragrance.The wood platter costs me RM 15.

The center flower is the white ginger ( hedychium coronarium) with its butterfly-like pure white flowers and yellow shades in the center.  On the right is the pink frangipani ( plumeria rubra) and the left one is the sweetly scented jasmine flowers ( jasminum multiforum) with its star-shaped tiny white flowers formed in a nice little bunch. 

Storefronts at Kuching waterfront

The Kuching waterfront is fast becoming a must visit destination and one of the attraction at the place are the rows of handicrafts and sovenier shops that line the road parallel to the water front area. I caught a glimpse of two this afternoon, while shopping for Sarawak or Borneo designed T-shirts.

Colourful Handbag

I was attracted to this beautifully coloured lady's handbag at one of the exhibition booth at the Kuching Waterfront today.  The exhibition of local handicrafts was held in conjunction with the Sarawak Regatta 2008 .

Stealy Steel and Colours

Seen at the Kuching Waterfront where the Sarawak Regatta 2008 was held was this captivating stainless steel sculpture. More images of this public sculpture are shown below.

The stainless steel sculpture stole my attention for minutes and so was the building in the background. I walked to have a closer look at the building. It is in fact a multi-storey car park that is well used because it is located at the heart of the city where roadsides parking spaces are hard to get.

What captivates me was the interplay of colours that are tastefully chosen . I think this building could fit the bill as as the most colourful building in Sarawak.

Decorative mats

Seen at one of the handicraft stalls are these interesting table mats and decoratives pieces made from the dried and then dyed leaves of the local pandanus plant.

Penan design for footpath

These intricate designs of the Penan people of Sarawak are duplicated on the Kuching Waterfront sidewalks. These design work are fabricated on site using black and yellow mosaics.

Handicrafts show at Sarawak Regatta'08

Handicrafts of beadswork are displayed by the sidewalks on the Kuching Waterfront as part of the Regatta side shows or attractions.  Prices were reasonable.