A few weeks ago Sarawak organized Non-Forest Product Festival in the city of Kuching, Malaysia, Borneo. The great rainforest of Borneo for years has been exploited for its timber. Although the timber industry has been a big source of employment and wealth for social and modernization, the industry has to consider the delicate enviroment and the natural ecosystem.
One important component of the ecosystem is the people of the forest. The indigenous people have been part of the complex ecosystem since immemorial times that their role should respected and promoted. Their welfafe have to be look after so that they too benefit from the timber industry. The picture above shows a native lady showing here tattoo on her entire hand while I try to show the contrast with mine. The following picture captures the dsiplay of knives, hats and herbal wood.
The handicrafts of the forest people show high quality of creativity and beauty. Even more important the material used are all organic from their own forest. The hadicrafts have the potential to commercialized to generate decent income for them. The picture below show the intricate natural fibre woven to make beautiful baskets with natural black dyed.
The concern for the native forest people of Borneo should be lauded even more so for making the festival an annual event.