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PAPAR: An eight-day Siung Papar weaving workshop organised by the Papar Caring Community Association (PaparCare4U) in collaboration with the Sabah Forestry Department and Pohumpung Nature Breeze Trail (PNBT) concluded at the PNBT Open Hall in Kampung Biau on Sunday.

The workshop brought together 10 women from across Papar to preserve and strengthen the traditional Siung Papar weaving craft as a cultural identity of the Kadazan Papar community while producing more skilled weavers to ensure the heritage is passed on to future generations.

The closing ceremony was officiated by Assistant Rural Development Minister and Limbahau Assemblyman Datuk Juil Nuatim, with Sabah Forestry Department representative Peter Jack, organising chairman Dorothy Doris Tiansun, PNBT chairman Eddie Mikil, PaparCare4U deputy chairman Dunstan Oswald Roland, secretary Eudora Deoney Edward and treasurer Mylvia Roland also present.

Juil expressed support for efforts to preserve and promote Siung Papar weaving, saying the State Government would continue supporting cultural heritage conservation through appropriate assistance and allocations so that similar programmes could continue in the future.

He said the workshop not only helps safeguard traditional weaving skills but also has the potential to generate community income through the handicraft and cultural tourism industries.

Peter said the Sabah Forestry Department's responsibilities extend beyond timber conservation to the management and preservation of non-timber forest products such as bamboo, rattan and hoputung, adding that sustainable forest resource management is essential to ensure a continued supply of raw materials for traditional crafts such as Siung Papar.

Dorothy expressed hope that efforts to preserve Siung Papar weaving would continue and proposed the establishment of a Siung Papar Craft Centre to serve as a training, documentation, production and marketing hub, while participants received guidance throughout the workshop from experienced instructor Margaret Kiat of Kampung Sabandil, Papar, on bamboo selection, material preparation and weaving techniques.