To preserve and to promote the development of the traditional methods of the indigenous ikat weaving of the Iban.

Iban weaving is one of the major projects carried out by the Foundation. The project is also looking into ways of improving the value and quality of the woven textile. With modernization and the advent of new technologies, the traditional methods of Iban ikat weaving is being abandoned and only very few weavers are still using the traditional methods. In the traditional society, the Iban planted their own cotton which they spun into thread for making pua’. They used natural dyes like engkudu (morinda) and tarum (indigo) to dye their ikat pieces. The cotton that are dyed with morinda had to undergo a ngar ritual process where they are treated using a mordant bath.

The Iban people places great value on pua’ that has undergone ngar and dyed using morinda. Most of these pieces have the rich deep burgundy colour, and they are colourfast. The Foundation urges weavers who can perform the ngar to continue with the skill so that the knowledge is not lost. Not many people can perform the ngar, especially so nowadays, because it is not just a simple process. The process is not only highly technical, but it is also carried out with strict rituals, and there are many taboos to be adhered to. Most importantly, the ngar ritual must be led by a master dyer.