Malaysia’s unique handcrafted souvenirs

Malaysia is home to various handicraft museums, arts and crafts centers and even markets where local handicrafts are available in abundance. Locales like KL’s Central Market, the KL Craft Complex, the Handicraft Village and Craft Museum in Kohta Bahru, the Sarakraf center in Kuching and others welcome hordes of visitors all year round. This is largely due to the fact that Malaysia has rich tradition of arts and crafts and the country’s many handcrafted wares are immensely popular as souvenirs.

Popular handcrafted Malaysian souvenirs include:-

Batik and Songket textile

Batik and Songket(a rich brocade-like opulent hand-woven) textiles are representative of Malaysia’s renowned handicraft heritage. Both these textiles are used to make apparel, handbags, soft furnishings and so forth, items ideal as souvenirs.

Beadwork

Malaysia’s various indigenous peoples are known for their exquisite beading skills, which are generally handed down through generations. Beaded lampshades, collars and necklaces, handcrafted by the Orang Ulu and Iban tribes of Sarawak are known all over the world.

Nyonya wares

The Baba Nyonya or Peranakan people of Malaysia are reputed for their embroidery and glass-beading skills. Delicate Nyonya wares like intricately handcrafted beaded slippers, handbags, coin purses and phone covers and so forth  are much coveted as souvenirs as is the traditional sarong kebaya ensemble (skirt and blouse combo) sported by Nyonya womenfolk.

Silver ware and Pewter

Resource rich Malaysia is home to a seemingly inexhaustible supply of silver and pewter (an alloy of tin). Both these metals are used to make home and lifestyle wares and are favored as souvenirs too. Filigreed intricate silverware from Kelantan, including fruit bowls, tea sets, ashtrays, brooches and bracelets is also much sought after.

Woodcarvings

Intricate Malaysian woodcarvings from the states of Kelantan and Terengganu are often used to adorn handles of daggers and various furniture items and serve as popular souvenirs too.

Pottery

Malaysian pottery items like vases, jars and water receptacles are produced by hand in states like Perak and Sarawak and are popular souvenirs too.

Forest fiber items

Much of Malaysia is covered by ancient rainforests, which provide a steady supply of forest fibers like rattan, bamboo, ribu-ribu, pandanus , mengkuang  and so on. These fibers are intertwined, coiled, woven and plaited to make functional and decorative items like bags, baskets, mats and various other products by local artisans and the many Orang Asli people of Malaysia. These well-made colorful items are favored as souvenirs by tourists.