Saturday March 19, 2011
Beads galore
Bead lovers will go gaga over the impressive stockpile of rare and antique Bornean beads in Tun Jugah Foundation’s latest addition, the Leka Marik Gallery.
Culled from the private collection of the late Datin Amar Margaret Linggi, the beads come in a kaleidoscope of colours and shapes which are strung into necklaces, dresses and belts.
Most of them originated from the maritime bead trade or were imported from Venice, the Middle East, Eastern Mediterranean countries, China, Africa, India, the Indo-Pacific region and Indonesia.
A traditional wedding outfit. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star
For some indigenous folks of Borneo, beads are valued beyond mere aesthetics. Beads are collected and bequeathed to the next generation.
Some communities use beads in ceremonial rites, while others value beads as status symbols.
In the olden days, the dead were buried with beads as part of their grave clothes, or as “grave gifts”, for use in the deceased’s passage to the underworld. Many beads were sold, traded or lost in longhouse fires.
At the Gallery, the beads on display are described based on how they are worn or used, and the individual strings — suspended from the glass exhibit cases highlight the types of beads, for example, chevron, melon, rosette or millefiori beads.
The beads are also classified based on colours, diaphaneity (opaque, translucent or transparent), shapes (barrel, disc, tubular, spindle) and decorations (motifs such as flower, dotted, spiral or wavy). Special, rare or unique beads are displayed on trays.
The Ibans wear beads as part of their traditional costumes like the dujung marik and marik empang (bead collar), necklaces and decorated textiles (skirts, jackets and blouses) with cowrie shells.
They favour beads like the pelaga or carnelians; marik gamang — pyjama beads and melon beads.
> The Leka Marik gallery, pua gallery and museum are located at Level 4, Tun Jugah Tower, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kuching, Sarawak. For more information, call (082) 239 672 or visit: tunjugahfoundation.org.my Opening hours: 9am-noon and 1pm-4.30pm (Monday to Friday). Admission is free.
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