From the longhouse to the wider world

A living tradition,
woven together.

Meet the makers behind Pua Kumbu. Discover the stories, skills and vibrant culture of Iban weaving in Sarawak, Malaysia.

Explore the project Our story

Rumah Gare, Sg. Kain · Kapit · Sarawak

The people and the purpose

Made by hand.
Rooted in community.

Pua Kumbu Community Project brings together Iban women from Rumah Gare, Sg. Kain, Kapit, Sarawak. For generations, skilled weavers have carried forward a remarkable textile tradition—its patterns, knowledge and making shaped by the community and the natural world around it.

We want this living heritage to thrive. By deepening the skills of today’s weavers and growing a sustainable cottage industry, the project creates meaningful opportunities in weaving, natural dye-plant cultivation, product distribution and hosting visitors at the longhouse.

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“Not only history and tradition—a joyful culture to experience, learn and share, wherever you are in the world.”

Iban Pua Kumbu weaving and textile details

Traditional craft from the Rumah Gareh community

Craft with a story

Every thread carries knowledge.

Pua Kumbu is more than a beautiful textile. It is a connection between makers, place and generations—shared with care and respect.

Come closer to the craft

Learn, make, and meet the makers.

We welcome curious visitors, creative teams and cultural partners to explore the work and the people behind it.

Weaving workshops

Learn about the materials, patterns and patient process of Pua Kumbu with experienced community weavers.

Longhouse visits

Spend time in the community, hear local stories and experience culture as a living practice—not simply an exhibit.

Natural dye learning

Discover how cultivating dye plants can connect textile traditions with local knowledge and sustainable livelihoods.

A platform for cultural exchange

Living craft. Meaningful places. Shared stories.

Pua Kumbu is a living Iban textile tradition shaped by skilled hands, local knowledge and generations of creativity. We connect institutions and people with community-made craft and carefully considered cultural objects through exhibitions, learning experiences, commissions and auctions.

Our project brings traditional craftsmanship into contemporary spaces while keeping the makers, their knowledge and cultural identity at the heart of every collaboration. Handwoven works can become functional pieces, collectible editions or distinctive focal points—each designed with respect for its origins and the people who create it.

A handmade piece can bring warmth, individuality and a story that mass-produced décor cannot offer. Where an antique or heritage object is considered, its history, condition, cultural context and provenance should be documented and discussed with the community. Our aim is to share culture as an engaging experience—not as a distant relic—while creating fair opportunities for Iban makers.

How the project creates lasting value

Traditional skill, thoughtfully made for today.

We are building a sustainable bridge between Iban craftsmanship and the creative industries—developing beautiful, useful and collectible works while creating meaningful opportunities for the women and families who sustain this living tradition.

✳Connecting craft with new markets. Develop distinctive handcrafted textile pieces for museums, casinos, hotels, restaurants, cultural venues and other considered interiors, giving each space an authentic story and a strong sense of place.
✳Supporting considered, high-quality production. Build a more effective design and production structure so artisans can create carefully finished limited editions and custom commissions suited to a project’s character, scale and practical needs.
✳Keeping knowledge in the hands of makers. Support skilled artisans and pass on techniques, stories, patterns and cultural knowledge, ensuring heritage remains an active part of contemporary making—not just a reference to the past.
✳Making craft meaningful and enduring. Transform weaving knowledge into functional, decorative and collectible works that can enrich hospitality, entertainment and cultural environments, invite conversation and be treasured over time.
✳Building direct, fair relationships. Connect artisans with clients, designers and creative industries. Direct collaboration can help makers receive fairer returns for their work while giving businesses access to authentic, one-of-a-kind creations with a clear cultural identity.

01 · Collections & learning

Museums and cultural institutions

Create richer connections between collections and the people whose knowledge gives them meaning. Community-led talks, demonstrations and workshops can complement displays with living voices and practical learning.

✳Offer audiences tactile, participatory ways to learn about weaving, materials, motifs and natural dye knowledge.
✳Add contemporary maker perspectives and properly researched context to exhibitions and education programmes.
✳Explore acquisitions or loans with transparent provenance, culturally informed interpretation and community consultation.

02 · Hospitality & guest experience

Hotels and casinos

Bring a distinctive sense of place to arrival areas, suites, lounges and hosted events. Handwoven works can create memorable visual focal points and give guests a genuine story to discover.

✳Commission suitable contemporary pieces for considered interiors, with maker attribution and care guidance.
✳Offer cultural demonstrations, talks or private workshops as thoughtful guest experiences and special events.
✳Build a more distinctive hospitality story by connecting design with real makers, place and living heritage.

03 · Dining & atmosphere

Restaurants and dining venues

Use thoughtfully selected craft to make a dining space feel personal and memorable. A textile, carefully displayed with context, can prompt conversation and connect guests to the people and place behind its making.

✳Introduce authentic, locally rooted visual character rather than interchangeable decorative styling.
✳Pair display pieces with short maker stories, menus or event programming to create a richer guest experience.
✳Host intimate craft conversations or demonstrations that encourage cultural curiosity and repeat visits.

04 · Auctions & personal collections

Collectors and cultural patrons

Discover works for their artistry, material knowledge and connection to living culture. Carefully curated presentations and auctions can bring makers and interested buyers together while making the story and terms of each work clearer.

✳Learn about a work’s maker, materials, techniques, intended use and available provenance before making a decision.
✳Find distinctive handmade pieces that bring individuality and thoughtful conversation into a home or collection.
✳Support contemporary artisans and community livelihoods through transparent, fair-benefit arrangements.

A respectful approach to auctions

Every object deserves context and care.

Auction opportunities may include selected contemporary craft and, where appropriate, heritage or antique objects. Each work should be considered individually, with clear information about its origin and condition, consultation where cultural knowledge is involved, and agreed terms that recognize makers and community benefit. We do not treat cultural significance as a substitute for provenance or permission.

Discuss a collaboration

Start a conversation

Let’s share the story.

For workshops, longhouse visits, cultural partnerships and auction enquiries, contact Dr. Welyne J. Jehom.

Visit our shop

L2-777, Level 2
Amcorp Mall
Petaling Jaya, Malaysia

A living tradition,woven together.

Made by hand.Rooted in community.