DEBAK – Efforts to preserve the traditional art of making and carving Sugu Tinggi continued in Ulu Rimbas with a craft skills programme involving 48 women from the Rimbas Ulu branch of the United Bumiputera Party (PBB).
The programme was held at Rumah Jimmy in Ulu Bayor, Ulu Rimbas, on August 8 as part of ongoing efforts to provide women with practical training in traditional crafts.
It was organised by the N.37 Bukit Saban ADUN Service Centre as part of initiatives aimed at expanding opportunities for women to acquire skills linked to local cultural heritage.
The programme focused specifically on the techniques involved in producing and carving Sugu Tinggi, allowing participants to gain practical experience under the guidance of an instructor.
Edika Jalin served as the instructor and provided participants with guidance on the basic methods used in making and carving Sugu Tinggi.
The practical sessions gave the participants an opportunity to learn the craft more closely while developing their understanding of the techniques required to produce finished pieces.
The organisers said programmes of this nature can play a role in ensuring traditional craft practices continue to be passed on to younger generations.
Natasha Nasa Uggah, head of the PBB Women Branch N.37 Bukit Saban, said the programme was intended to give women access to skills with both cultural and economic potential.
“Programs like this not only provide opportunities for women to learn new skills, but also open up space for us to ensure that traditional craft arts such as Sugu Tinggi continue to live on and not be lost to time,” she said.
She said practical training could also help participants improve the quality of the products they produce.
The skills gained through hands-on learning could serve as a foundation for participants to develop their own craft products, while allowing them to explore more creative approaches to traditional designs.
“When these skills continue to be learned and developed, we not only preserve heritage, but also provide opportunities for women to produce their own products that can be marketed and subsequently help increase family income,” she said.
The programme therefore combined cultural preservation with skills development, giving participants an opportunity to learn a traditional craft while considering its possible economic value.
During the training, participants were introduced to the fundamentals of Sugu Tinggi making and carving.
The practical component allowed them to work directly with the craft materials and techniques under the supervision of the instructor.
The organisers said the exposure could help participants refine their skills and improve the neatness and quality of future craft products.
Developing these skills may also allow participants to create products with greater consistency and explore opportunities to market their work.
The programme forms part of continuing activities in the Bukit Saban state constituency aimed at encouraging wider participation in craft-related activities among women.
The organisers hope similar programmes can help maintain interest in traditional crafts and support the transfer of knowledge between generations.
Sugu Tinggi is among the local craft traditions highlighted through the programme, with its making and carving techniques being taught through direct practical instruction.
For the 48 participants, the training provided an opportunity to learn the craft in a structured setting while gaining experience that could be further developed after the programme.
The initiative also reflects the wider role that traditional crafts can play in maintaining local cultural identity.
At the same time, the organisers see potential for traditional craft skills to support community-level economic activities when participants are able to develop products suitable for sale.
The continued organisation of training programmes in the Bukit Saban area is expected to encourage more women to take part in craft activities.
It is also intended to strengthen efforts to preserve local heritage while supporting the development of creative products within the community.
The organisers said continued learning and practice would be important in keeping traditional skills alive.
Through practical exposure, participants can build their confidence in making and carving Sugu Tinggi and potentially pass the knowledge on to others in their communities.
The latest programme at Rumah Jimmy brought together 48 women for the hands-on training, with Edika Jalin providing guidance throughout the sessions.
The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to preserve traditional craft knowledge while creating opportunities for women to develop practical skills that could have wider social and economic benefits.
The organisers hope the continued promotion of Sugu Tinggi making and carving will help ensure the traditional craft remains relevant and is passed on to future generations.
