Traditional Bajau Samah Craft 'Tudung Duang' Becomes A Source Of Livelihood

By Siti Baaqiah Mamat

KOTA BELUD, Nov 19 (Bernama) -- Tudung duang, a traditional weaving craft of the Bajau Samah or Bajau Sama community made from serdang or nipah palm leaves, serves not only as a food cover but also as a symbol of the community’s cultural heritage, closely associated with their vibrant traditional attire.

Traditionally, tudung duang was also used when attending feasts, traditional ceremonies and gotong-royong activities, functioning as a protective cover to keep food safe from dust and insects.

To preserve the uniqueness of this traditional handicraft, Jaimme @ Afmieza Ayub, 47, has continued her mother’s legacy of weaving tudung duang since 2018, a craft that has now become her main source of income.

As the third generation to continue the family business in Kampung Pangkalan Abai here, she said her interest in weaving began at a young age, when she often watched her older sisters produce various traditional woven items.

“In the Bajau Samah community, weaving skills are typically passed down from one generation to the next and are regarded as an asset for women, comparable to basket-making or mat-weaving,” she told Bernama.

She said her deep interest eventually grew into a source of income when she began selling her crafts at tamu (local markets) and through online platforms, successfully attracting customers from across Sabah, Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and even Brunei.

With demand rising for tudung duang - appreciated for its distinctive shape and geometric patterns that appeal to craft collectors and décor enthusiasts - Jaimme said she is now able to earn a consistent income of around RM3,000 a month.

Sharing the crafting process, Jaimme said it begins with selecting serdang leaves, which are then soaked in hot water mixed with dye before being sun-dried until completely dry.

“Once the leaves are dry and the colour has set, we need to lightly moisten them with a damp cloth before rolling them. If the leaves are too dry, they break easily and the final product won’t look good,” she explained.

She added that each tudung duang is entirely handmade using neat stitching, with a frame made from nipah palm leaves or boxes as structural supports.

According to Jaimme, the technique of arranging the leaf sheets is similar to traditional weaving practices in other communities, but the tudung duang is known for its sturdier shape and structure compared to food covers from other regions.

She said tudung duang’s shape and patterns can be customised based on customer requests, with a production period of between one and three days. She sells them for between RM8 and RM45 per unit, and often receives large-scale orders of up to 400 units.

She said the high demand is also driven by the use of the tudung duang in wedding gifts, official event decorations and corporate souvenirs, as its design and identity are closely associated with Bajau Sabah culture.

Despite facing challenges, especially during the rainy season, which makes drying the leaves difficult, Jaimme remains committed to maintaining the quality and authenticity of the craft. She hopes that this weaving tradition will continue to be learned by the younger generation so that this unique cultural heritage will not fade away.

“We used to use nipah palm leaves, but there are so many crocodiles now that it has become difficult to access the rivers or forests. That is why we switched to serdang leaves, which are more easily available,” said Jaimme, who hopes to promote the traditional Bajau Samah craft to a wider audience.

Kota Belud, located about 80 kilometres from Kota Kinabalu, has four state constituencies that will be involved in the 17th Sabah State Election on Nov 29, namely Pintasan, Tempasuk, Usukan and Kadamaian.

For the latest news on the 17th Sabah State Election, visit https://prn.bernama.com/sabah/index.php.

-- BERNAMA