This is the photo of my mum weaving a "Tambok" or "Onak Juah" (basket). This is how our folks used to spend their free time when they were not busy at the farm.
Tambok is mainly made of rattan. The traditional usage for a tambok is to keep sacred items, to be used during paddy farming, and to carry their day of harvest. Tambok sizes vary depending on their usage.
The process of tambok making is by drying the raw exposed core rattan for about a week before the core is being split into tinier pieces. Depending on the design, normally the small pieces shall be dried up again for another week to make it easier to be bend, and to ensure the tambok can last longer. For colored pattern, dye will be used to soak together with the small rattan, also for another week. After the color penetrated the rattan fully, it shall be dried up under the sun properly for another few days.
This is the sample of the finished product.
A mini tambok.
Tambok weaving is actually a dying art among the Bidayuh. Most of the tambok weavers are normally from older generation.
