PASU SARAWAK
PASU SARAWAK
- The Origin Of Sarawak Potteries
In Sarawak the pottery industry was introduced in mid-19th Century when immigrant Chinese artisans arrived in Sarawak and set up commercial operations to cater for the local market. The skilled potters that came to Borneo were almost exclusively Teochew, from Fukkien province in China.
Having acquired the skills of their craft in the kilns of their home province they set sail for the 'south seas' to seek employment and perhaps make their fortune. Others stayed on in Sarawak, establishing family-run pottery businesses and passing on their skills to their sons or nephews, who in turn passed on the skills to the next generation. Even today, Sarawak's potters are nearly all Teochew, descendants of these early pioneers.
Although the locally-produced jars were not as highly regarded as old imported jars, the newly established potteries were able to carve out a market by offering jars at lower prices. It is quite common to find in the interior longhouses decorative jars and dishes which are highly prized and treasured by their owners.
Other than Chinese, the pottery made in Sarawak is done by the Iban, Murut and Kelabit. Today, the range of Sarawak's potters have improved vastly as they create ceramic stools, drinking water cisterns, decorative jars and vases, lamps, candle holders, ashtrays, teapots, mugs and even photo frames. Even the locals use Sarawak pottery as gifts during official functions and special occasions.
The Sarawak potteries are grouped together at 8th Mile on the Penrissen Road, Kuching and Ngee Tai Pottery Factory is the famous one.
