Traditional Headgears of Sarawak

Sarawak is home to 27 ethnic tribes and this diversity has contributed to a colorful spectrum of unique culture in its handicraft heritage. Sarawak’s authentic handicraft is definitely a bonus that will value-add to your visit to this land of the hornbills. Here we offer you a preview into some of the must-see Sarawak handicrafts which will help you identify their heritage roots while you are travelling in Sarawak.

Terendak
	Skillfully woven mostly by the women folks of the Melanau community, with sago palm strips, wild sago leaves, and rattan strips, this ornate conical-shaped sun hat offers more than just protection from the sun. The intricate design of the Terendak denotes creativity and adds a delightful sense of fashion in the overall costume of the Melanaus.

Tukuo or sipiah
	This spectacular tall cylindrical Bidayuh headgear never fails to wow visitors. The Tukuo consists of a piece of red cloth over a tall cylindrical hat intricately woven with bamboo strips. In some areas of Sarawak, Tukuo is often stringed with red, white, black and yellow beads.

Sugu Tinggi for Iban Maidens
	Sugu Tinggi, is a traditional headgear that is worn by Iban maidens in most ceremonial occasion. It is a silver headgear that gives Iban maidens the unique poise and glitter while dancing the Ngajat Indu. Made mostly by Chinese silversmith, Sugu Tinggi is hand crafted with intricate motifs that depict flowers and other floral themes.

Setapu Tunjang for the Iban Warrior
	This woven hat is known as Setapu Tunjang. It is hand woven using fine bamboo splits and is sometimes decorated with a silver crown. The Setapu Tunjang is an intricate woven hat which is elaborately attached with feathers of hornbills and other wild birds. While watching Sarawak cultural shows, we are often attracted to the feathers than the intricate woven hat.

Ketapu Silung
The Orang Ulu of Sarawak are famous for their intricate beadwork depicting themes from the rainforest. Their headgears are also skillfully woven with beadwork and bunches of goat’s hair as decoration. The use of hornbill feathers on the headgear denotes authority and status and in some longhouses, hornbill feathers are only allowed to be used on the Ketapu Silung of the master warriors.