Come learn the exquisite Rungus beadwork at Gerimis Gallery

If you love traditional Rungus beadwork, you should head to Gerimis Gallery this weekend.

You will be able to learn the age-old technique practised by the Rungus community to create exquisite adornments with tribal motifs.

Gerimis Gallery project director Wendi Sia said the idea to have this workshop came from Gerai OA.

Gerai OA is a volunteer-run, nomadic stall selling crafts by the Orang Asal. 100% of sales generated from the stall are paid to the named artisan.

“The last workshop was at Borneo Native Festival (BNF) at Pasar Seni. Doing it again for World Indigenous Day was a good continuation.

August 8 every is the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. 

The workshop

Gerai OA will be facilitating the workshop at the Gerimis Gallery.

Three slots with a maximum of six participants per slot are available on Saturday and Sunday. 

The first workshop starts at 12 pm, followed by 2 pm and the last at 4 pm.

The charge per participant is RM50.

The participants can learn the traditional Rungus “piruruhon” technique, modified to create a “glang tali tinutub” or a beaded bracelet. 

“Participants can create and complete their very on bead bracelet using the  “piruruhon” technique without any prior beading experience”, said Wendi.

The same technique is used to create the iconic Rungus “pinakol” beaded bandoliers worn by men and women as part of their traditional dress.

Wendi added that the workshop collection will provide welfare funds for the Sinompuru Rungus women’s group in Kg Tinangol, Kudat.

The final workshop collection contribution is after deducting the workshop organising cost.

Gerai OA has been working closely with the Sinompuru Rungus group for a long time, preparing the bead kits for the workshop.

“Apart from that, we also hope for an increased understanding of the intricacy of doing beadwork,” she added.

Gerai OA will also have a small tabletop sale of some Rungus crafts.

Rungus community

The Rungus are northern Borneo people living in the Kudat Division of Sabah, Malaysia.

They reside in communal longhouses, especially within Kudat, Matunggong and Pitas districts.

The Rungus community is long known for their exquisite crafts. 

Their artisans have developed and finessed the art of weaving and beadwork for generations. 

Despite the rapid development of their traditional lands into acacia or oil palm plantations, the Rungus have retained much of their culture, traditions and intangible heritage.

The Rungus women weave textiles, string beads and baskets. Meanwhile, the men do woodworking and metalwork-related crafts.

Register for the workshop through this link.