Fashion has always been a big part of my life. I love getting ready and picking outfits. As someone who wears a hijab, I always just wear the same color for every outfit which is white. I think it is my staple color. You’ll never catch me in black.

Speaking of fashion, I find it always intertwined with art, especially traditional clothing. A culture art. Growing up in a state that is rich in colourful cultures, I always get to see them wearing different kinds of clothing especially in wedding ceremonies. I've always felt a deep sense of pride as a Sabahan that shapes my identity as a part of this vastly multicultural society. So here goes, my padlet on traditional clothing that I call “The Woven Legacy”.

1. “Gandik” is a crown worn by the girls and is made of velvet. It is accessories with gold.

2. “Kambot” is a belt and accessories with ruby. 

3. “Sarong Kuku” is a long silver and gold made of aluminium. 

4. The skirt is made of velvet that is accessories  with gold and silver with colorful ruby and embroidered with the motif of nature. 

This ethnic group has a very rich cultural heritage, which include traditional customs, religious belief, music and dance and Iban tattoos. The Iban people are still living in the longhouse called “Rumah Panjai”. Rumah Panjai symbolizes the Iban social structure, with multiple families living under one roof. Although not all Ibans live in longhouses today, the sense of community remains central to their way of life. These longhouses are often frequented during the festive holiday of Gawai, transforming the longhouse into a vibrant place of celebration where families and friends gather to share meals and alcohol while enjoying each other's company.

1. Lanjang or Ketapu is used as a head piece. Ketapu is made of rattan. It is woven into the individual's own creativity of styles. After they are woven and colored, Ketapu will be put in bird feathers. For example, Kenyalang Bird. The thicker the bird feather, the better looking it looks. 

2. Gagong or Baju Burung is made of animal skins. Gagong is usually worn during The Gawai or big festivals. Gagong can’t not be easily worn anywhere because back in the day, Gagong was worn during the war by the strong, brave individual. Most of the time, Gagong is made of Bear skins because the animal is strong and vicious. Baju Burung on the other hand, is only used during normal occasions. Baju Burung is red and is embroidered with an Iban style motif called “Pua Kumbu”. Gold thread is also used to weave this cloth. 

3. Kain Sirat also known as Kain Cawat is the base for traditional clothing of the Iban People. Sirat wrapped around the waist and between the thighs. The corner of the cloth will be brought to the front of the waist then to the back. 

4. Marik is also included in the male traditional clothing. Marik is only woven with beads. Some people use tusks as a Marik. For example, Pig Tusks.

5. Terabai is one of the weapons used in war by the Iban People. However, now that the war has stopped, Terabai is used in dances and ceremonies.Terabai is made of light wood so that it is easy to craft. The craft style depends on the individual itself with the motif of Iban People.

6. “Senyata” is used for war, hunt, and wander. There's two type of senyata “Ilang” and “Nyabor”. Nyabor is shorter than Ilang. Nyabor is inserted with hair that symbolizes that person has gone to war and the nyabor will be crafted.

1. Sugu Tinggi (Silver Headgear)

2. Marek Empang/Tangu

3. Kain karap/kabat is a sarong worn as a skirt. Its a knee length and the design is usually “Pua Kumbu” with colourful and different motif. It is red and the thread is usually gold and silver.

4. Lampit (Silver Belt)

5. Rawai (Silver Corset)

6. Tumpa Pirak/Bentuk (Silver bangles)

7. Gelang kaki/Gerunchung (Silver anklets)

8. Buah Pauh (Silver Purse)

9. Selampai (sash) is decorated with fine weave design and will be worn on the shoulder as a scarf.

10. Tali Ujan/Mulung (Fine silver chain)

11. Sementing Buchai/Sekeling (Coin corset with dangling coins)

    
    

Sarawak Travellers. (n.d.). The Iban people of Borneo: History, religions, and traditions. Sarawak Travellers. https://www.sarawaktravellers.com/culture/the-iban-people-of-borneo-history-religions-and-traditions

Wikimedia Commons. (n.d.). Iban language distribution [Map]. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Iban_language_distribution.svg

Pinterest. (n.d.). [MIss World Malaysia] [Miss World Malaysia]. Pinterest. https://pin.it/t6ixTUNs2

Iban Customs. (n.d.). Iban traditional clothing and attire. WordPress. https://ibancustoms.wordpress.com/iban-traditional-clothing-and-attire/

TVS. (2022, July 12). Mengenali kehidupan suku Bajau Laut di Semporna Sabah [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqnWvQ_Nhwo

WWF-Malaysia. (2023, September 7). The Bajau Laut: Navigating the waters of tradition and conservation. https://www.wwf.org.my/?32825/Opinion-Editorial---The-Bajau-Laut-Navigating-The-Waters-of-Tradition-and-Conservation

Esei sejarah: Sumbangan masyarakat pribumi dalam pembinaan negara dan bangsa [PDF]. (n.d.). PDFCoffee. https://pdfcoffee.com/sejarah-eseidoc-pdf-free.html

Asmidaling. (2017, April). Tarian Sabah. Blogspot. https://asmidaling85.blogspot.com/2017/04/tarian-sabah.html

Budaya Bajau Sabah. (n.d.). Pakaian. https://kajianbudaya.wixsite.com/budayabajausabah/pakaian

Hamzah, N., & Mustapha, W. H. W. (2022). Amalan budaya dan adaptasi persekitaran masyarakat Bajau di perkampungan atas air di Semporna, Sabah. e-Journal of Knowledge Management, 2(1), 32–41. https://jurcon.ums.edu.my/ojums/index.php/ejk/article/view/4177/2647

Mohd Yusoff, M. S. M., Zakaria, M. H., Yusof, N. A. M., & Miswan, N. H. (2023). The effectiveness of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic: A study among students of higher learning institutions in Malaysia. Asian Journal of Research in Education and Social Sciences, 5(1), 87–98. https://myjms.mohe.gov.my/index.php/ajress/article/view/24606

Sazaliah. (n.d.). Suku Kaum Bajau Samah [PowerPoint slides]. Scribd. https://www.scribd.com/presentation/642675336/Suku-Kaum-Bajau-Samah

• History of Bajau Samah (Who Are They?)

• Geographical Location

• Traditional Clothing

• Badu - Men Attire

• Badu Sipak - Women Attire

• References

The Sea Gypsies of Sabah - The Bajau Laut

• History of Bajau Laut (Who Are They?)

• Geographical Location

• Traditional Clothing

• Baju Ala Bimbang - Women Attire

• References

Hearts of The Hornbill Warriors - The Iban

• History of Iban People (Who Are They?)

• Geographical Location

• Traditional Clothing

• Ngepan Indu - Women Traditional Attire

• Baju Burung - Men Traditional Attire

• References

The North Borneo Warrior-Kadazan Dusun

• History of Kadazan Dusun (Who Are They?)

• Geographical Location

• Traditional Clothing

• Sinuangga - Women's Attire

• Sinompukung

• Kihongon

• Simis 

• Tapis

• Accessories

• Men Traditional Attire

• References

Child of The River - Orang Sungai

• History of Orang Sungai (Who Are They?)

• Geographical Location

• Traditional Clothing

• Orang Sungai Traditional Female Attire (Woinoi)

• Orang Sungai Traditional Male Attire (Kusoi)

• References

The Reflection

• Reflection

Main embroidery stitches:

1. Sinusuk bulus – chain stitch

2. Tantop – flannel stitch

   • The flannel stitch is also used to make binuunsi’, a thin, shoelace-like woven band in red and yellow.

Betawi buttons are special buttons made of gold-plated silver. They are looped through a string on the inside of the blouse, allowing them to be reused on different blouses.

• For ceremonial wear, the buttons are fastened all the way up to the neck.

• For everyday use, they are fastened halfway up from the bottom.
  Today, this distinction is less commonly followed. The buttons are tied from top to bottom using cotton thread.

Having a full set of 30 Betawi buttons (called sonsolobuan) was once a sign of wealth and high status among the Kadazan in Penampang.

Traditionally, it had no embroidery and served as an extra layer.
Today, it is often embroidered and commonly worn by older women as a regular blouse rather than as a jacket.

It features embroidery similar to the Sinuangga’, using the same traditional stitches and patterns

• One gold band runs horizontally across the hips at the front.

• Another band runs vertically from the waist down, crossing the first.

Special Bobohizan (priestess) Accessories

• Siga do Bobohizan – A ceremonial headdress made from peacock or turkey feathers tightly sewn onto a wide cloth band.

  • Decorated with colorful embroidery, beads, and rooster feathers tied with cloth pieces.

  • From the front, it looks fully cloth-covered; from the back, feathers are visible.

  • Beaded loops hang from each side to the chest.

  • Tied at the back and about 1.5 feet tall.

• Husob – A colorful cloth sash worn across the body, usually two pieces criss-crossed over the chest by the Bobohizan.

Cikgu BKD. (2016, December). Pakaian tradisional kaum Kadazandusun. Blogspot. https://cikgubkd.blogspot.com/2016/12/pakaian-tradisional-kaum-kadazandusun.html

Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association. (n.d.). Traditional costume. KDCA. https://kdca.org.my/about/hongkodkoisaan/costume

Student KUPTM. (n.d.). Kaum Kadazan. Google Sites. https://sites.google.com/student.kuptm.edu.my/kepelbagaianetniksabahdimalays/kaum-kadazan

PuiImages. (n.d.). Kadazan Dusun woman in traditional costume [Photograph]. iStock. https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/kadazan-dusun-woman-in-traditional-costume-gm1147237334-308452404

Majlis Perbandaran Penampang. (n.d.). Seni dan budaya. https://mppenampang.sabah.gov.my/?seni-dan-budaya

SOSCILI. (n.d.). Ada satu kaum di Sabah ni renjis darah haiwan kat rumah pengantin. Untuk apa? https://soscili.my/ada-satu-kaum-di-sabah-ni-renjis-darah-haiwan-kat-rumah-pengantin-untuk-apa/

SABAS Official. (2017, October 24). Buletin SABAS. WordPress. https://sabasofficial.wordpress.com/2017/10/24/buletin-sabas/

[Nadi Kluster Sandakan]. (n.d.). [Photograph of traditional attire posted on Facebook] [Photograph]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1701548513306251&id=875362599258184&set=a.1680843662043403&locale=ms_MY

MySabah.com. (n.d.). [Photograph of Sungai people – DSC02012]. MySabah. https://www.mysabah.com/people/sungai/slides/dsc02012.php

While researching, I also explored the traditional clothing of the Bajau Laut. Although they are often misunderstood or even marginalized, their clothing is incredibly beautiful. I loved the Baju Ala Bimbang, especially in black, which gives it an elegant touch. It was interesting to compare the materials used, like aluminum for Bajau Laut sarong kuku versus steel for Bajau Samah. This experience opened my eyes to the diversity even within our broader ethnic group. I could not find anything on the man traditional attire which is incredibly sad because I was looking forward on researching for the traditional clothing.

I also admired the intricate clothing of the Iban and Kadazan-Dusun. The Iban attire, especially the Ngepan Indu, is rich in cultural meaning and includes detailed accessories. I was fascinated by the creativity behind the steel fruit purse and the grand headgear. Meanwhile, the Kadazan-Dusun sinuangga and sigar reflect elegance, pride, and spiritual connection to nature and tradition.

This padlet has deepened my appreciation for traditional clothing and made me more determined to preserve and celebrate my own culture and those of others.