Sabah, Sarawak traditional wear gaining popularity locally, globally

 By Olivia Miwil - May 29, 2021 @ 10:57am

Sabah Unduk Ngadau finalists showcasing fashion with traditional design during “Unduk Ngadau Sodop Pointutunan 2021” here last night. - Picture courtesy of UNDUK NGADAU COMMITTEE

PENAMPANG: Sabah and Sarawak traditional wear is fast gaining popularity, said deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.

In Sabah, there are more than 40 different clothing designs and patterns owned by various tribes.

The Kadazan, Dusun, Murut and Rungus are famous for their various beautiful "Koubasanan" clothing designs that reflect the richness of their respective cultural heritage.

"Lately, I have seen many clothes designed with traditional motifs and easily available at the stores around us.

"Looking at how frequently they are worn (by the public), it is right for me to assume that such designs have many fans," he said during the "Unduk Ngadau Sodop Pointutunan 2021" here last night.

Jeffrey, who is also the state-level Kaamatan festival organising chairman, added the traditional clothes are also often used as national attire or for international competitions such as Miss Universe and Miss World.

He said it showed that these designs can be promoted and commercialised at the global scale.

Earlier, Jeffrey said the Unduk Ngadau competition which was broadcast live could also be used as a platform to showcase talented local designers.

"This traditional-motif fashion is specifically designed by experienced local designers who are well-versed with traditional clothes and could identify which tribe a design belonged to.

"I am hoping the Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan committee will continue to promote and market their cultural works and arts instead of keeping them in the closet to gather dust."