By Kevin Thomas
Discover how a three-day basket-weaving workshop could change the lives of six Orang Asli students from the Light of Shalom, equipping them with valuable skills and a sense of purpose as they weave together colourful handicrafts and bright futures.
THE ROOM CAME ALIVE, WITH A MESMERISING display of colourful hand-woven baskets adorned with intricate patterns.
These were the fruits of labour from the Orang Asli students who participated in a three-day intensive basket-weaving workshop held from 26th to 29th August 2023 at Wesley Methodist Kuala Lumpur.
The participants were selected from Light of Shalom — a hostel supported by the Wesley Methodist Church in Melaka, together with other churches and organisations that provide accommodation to more than a hundred Orang Asli students from ages 10 to 17. The students, who come from villages around the interiors of Kelantan and Pahang, are either home-schooled at the hostel or studying in schools in Melaka.
This hands-on workshop was jointly organised by KL Wesley’s Methodist Women and Asian Beacon, who share a common vision of equipping communities with skills that can lead to income-generating opportunities.
Impacting Communities Through Artistry
“This is the first time we are running this workshop with the Orang Asli,” shares Lilian, the main facilitator of this programme. Lilian is a certified Kagocraft trainer, having gone through Japan’s Kraftband Ecology Association’s trainer courses. She is also a member of Methodist Women, a ministry of the Methodist Church.
Mizuhiki is an ancient Japanese art form that uses a stiff rice paper cord to weave ornate handicrafts traditionally given as gifts for special occasions. Now, these colourful craftbands are made from sustainable paper derived from recycled paper and come in various colours. They are affordably priced, making them an ideal material to produce hand-woven products with a favourable profit margin.
Creating Pathways of Change
The Orang Asli has thrived for years as Malaysia’s indigenous community. Yet, they are often caught in the throes of change as the gaps between urban Malaysia and rural communities widen.
Three Baskets in Three Days
During the workshop, the participants were given the task of producing three hand-woven products – a small container, a medium-sized basket, and a larger-sized basket by the end of the workshop.
Lilian demonstrated the weaving techniques, and the participants emulated each step of the process. They were given a set of instructions and a diagram of the basket design and were free to choose their colour scheme.
Some baskets were crafted with earthy tones. Some were a striking blend of light and dark duotone shades. Amidst the spectrum of hues, one stood out — a hot-pink basket, almost resembling a prop from the latest Barbie movie! When the participants encountered challenges, a team of volunteers promptly stepped in to assist them.
The participants were told that their final and finessed handicrafts were going to be sold at the Methodist Senior’s fellowship the following day. With anticipation and excitement, the students powered through the three days from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, ending the day with a sigh of relief and hope for good sales.
Weaving Lessons into Life
The process of basket weaving entails a number of fine details and steps, from the preparation of materials to the weaving itself.
“You must start with the base first, weaving one strand over another,” explains 16-year-old Jane, who is of Temuan and Semai Orang Asli parentage.
After completing the base, work on the spine to combine it with the base so that the basket can stand. Thereafter, lash the handles. Jane shared that it took her 9 hours to produce her basket, and the most challenging part for her was trying to lash a creative design on the handles. “Although my fingers hurt, I found the workshop fun and not boring.”
Jane grew up in Melaka town, and unlike her counterparts at the workshop, she didn’t have the kampung experience and had fewer Orang Asli friends. Her friends were mostly from other urban communities. However, her family would return to her mother’s village in Perak during Christmas, and they would sometimes visit her father’s village in Melaka. For Jane, family time gives her the most joy.
“It’s hard to earn an income these days, and by learning how to make a basket, you can earn something. If you have your income, you don’t have to depend on others to get by”, shares Jane, who dreams of pursuing medicine in the future.
Shaffik, 15, a Temiar Orang Asli and the only boy at the workshop, was proud to showcase his masterpieces – a container woven from black paper tape with white highlights and a medium-sized black basket with turquoise interlocking geometric patterns.
To Shaffik, it was important for him to learn this basket-weaving skill as he intends to teach it to others in his community so that they, too, can gain a new skill and another means of income.
“Education is important if you desire a brighter future,” he stresses. In his free time, Shaffik enjoys reading novels and has read over a hundred books of different genres. When asked what other courses he would like to attend, he shared his interest in learning how to develop an online business. If there were such a workshop, he would certainly sign up for it.
16-year-old Atika, a Temiar Orang Asli, spends her free time playing the guitar, singing English songs and reading. She is the sixth child in a family of seven children and has been a part of Light of Shalom since age 13. While Atika’s ambitions are not yet fully defined, she contemplates the possibility of becoming a surgeon one day.
Atika was happy to join this workshop because it allowed her to meet new people. The three days have taught her valuable lessons about perseverance.
“I took five hours to complete one small basket. It was stressful but manageable. And I learned to keep working at it and not to give up. I may not be good at it, but I can try,” she says.
Much like the Mizuhiki Japanese stiff rice paper cord – the raw materials that were intricately transformed into beautiful handicrafts brimming with vibrant hues and purpose, the six students who came empty-handed are now equipped with a treasure trove of acquired skills. They’ve learned that determination and hard work will not only enrich their own lives but also have a positive impact on others.
A Beacon of Hope
“If we want to be a beacon that shines bright, we need to reach out and engage the communities,” shares Mary, Chairman of Asian Beacon and the co-organiser of the workshop.
Known for its flagship magazine by the same name, Asian Beacon has been thriving since 1969 to be a ray of hope for all through its literature, online engagement, and gatherings. Recovering from the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry sensed a call to support the individuals through face-to-face fellowships and activities such as the basket-weaving workshop and ukelele classes.
One lady who was mourning the loss of her spouse found the basket-weaving workshop therapeutic and helpful in her grieving process. Others were able to draw strength and solidarity from the fellowship while learning a new skill.
The workshop’s past participants have also returned to help make baskets to support fundraising initiatives whenever there was a need. The skill has been shared widely through a network of different churches and ministries and is testimony to how God uses creativity to bring people into communion with each other and, ultimately, with Him.
It was through this engagement that Mary and Lilian got connected. Mary had introduced the art of basket weaving, and Lilian has gone on to pursue other courses, too, so that she could, in turn, pass the skills on to empower communities like the children from Light of Shalom.
In many ways, the journey of community empowerment mirrors the very process of basket weaving. Just as individual strips of coloured paper tapes are meticulously intertwined to form a unified design, the collaboration among willing hearts and united visions weaves a tapestry of positive change.
Support a brighter future! Donate to Light of Shalom Society Malacca today at Public Bank, Account No: 3215711734. Your contribution makes a meaningful impact.
About Kevin Thomas
Kevin Thomas writes stories about changemakers from marginalised grassroots communities and runs a peacebuilding initiative with Akar Umbi Society to debunk stereotypes and generalizations between communities. He is also a graphic designer and a budding painter.
