Ngot Bi, a revered master weaver and one of the last custodians of the traditional Sarawak Malay craft known as “tikar bergerang pandan,” passed away on September 7 at the age of 94. Hailing from Kampung Semera Ulu Sadong Jaya in Asajaya, Samarahan, Sarawak, she was widely recognized for her dedication to preserving this intricate weaving tradition.
Over her lifetime, Ngot Bi received several honors acknowledging her mastery and contributions to Malaysia’s cultural heritage. In 2005, she was awarded the Seal of Excellence for Handicraft Products in Southeast Asia by UNESCO. Kraftangan Malaysia bestowed her with the title Adiguru Kraf Anyaman (Master Weaver Craftswoman) in 2014. More recently, in 2024, she was recognized with the Best Traditional Weaving (Plaiting) award at the Hasanah Gold Thread awards organized by Yayasan Hasanah, which celebrates excellence and innovation in Malaysian heritage textiles.
Yayasan Hasanah, reflecting on her legacy in a social media tribute, noted that Ngot Bi tirelessly worked to preserve the increasingly rare tikar bergerang craft and shared her knowledge with future generations. The social enterprise Tanoti Crafts, which collaborated closely with her, credited her passion as a key factor in sustaining this traditional art form across generations. Tanoti Crafts emphasized that Ngot Bi’s work preserved not only the physical mats but also the cultural identity and knowledge embodied in the craft, which now faces the risk of disappearance.
“Tikar bergerang” involves an elaborate process of weaving pandanus leaves into square patterns decorated with motifs inspired by nature and traditional beliefs. These handwoven mats have cultural significance, often used in prayers, wedding ceremonies, and given as welcoming gifts for newborns within the Malay community in Saribas, Sarawak. Similar weaving techniques are practiced by some Orang Asli communities in Peninsular Malaysia, producing items such as headbands, bags, and bookmarks.
The preparation of the pandanus leaves is meticulous: they are carefully selected, cut to uniform size, flattened using a tool called a “jangat,” then boiled, straightened, soaked, and sun-dried before weaving can begin.
Among those expressing condolences was fashion designer Melinda Looi, who described Ngot Bi as a “Master Sifu” and praised the legacy she left behind. Sarawakian designer Edric Ong also paid tribute on social media, referring to her as a national artist and treasure from Kampung Semera and affirming that her legacy will endure.
Ngot Bi’s passing marks the loss of a significant figure in Malaysia’s artisanal heritage, but her efforts have left a lasting impact on the preservation and transmission of tikar bergerang pandan weaving.