Woven Wisdom: Understanding the Visual Narratives within Sarawak Pua Kumbu with Wan Juliana Emeih Binti Wahed

Dr Wan Juliana Emeih Binti Wahed sits down with Dr Rebecca Houze to discuss her research on Pua Kumbu textiles of the Iban people of Indonesia. She emphasizes how much these textiles can show about the culture's beliefs and perceptions. Each textile is handwoven and holds a story in its creation. Each pattern and symbol holds a cultural origin. The journey of an Iban weaver is a ritualist in nature and one that lasts a lifetime. Beliefs in these rituals vary from weaver to weaver; some believe that the rituals of the weavers reveal patters through dreams to use motives within their craft. Within the ranks of the weavers lies rules about what motives and patterns are allowed when creating tapestry. Higher ranking weavers are able to use more patterns. While apprenticeship exists within the hierarchy, the ranking is very informal. While cultural preservation of the Pua Kumbu is not widely recognized, efforts still exist both locally and within organizations.

Dr Wan Juliana Emeih Binti Wahed is a Senior Lecturer at the MARA University of Technology in Malaysia. She specializes in both Industrial Design and Art history.

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