Sarawak’s songket and keringkam textiles will be showcased in a new gallery that aims to preserve and promote these traditional crafts.

The gallery which is located at Jalan Masjid is part of the state government’s Old Kuching Smart Heritage initiative in collaboration with the Centre of Technical Excellence (Centexs), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) and other agencies.

“This is part of our approach to protecting Kuching’s heritage, which includes cultural elements like songket and keringkam,” Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said at the gallery’s soft launch.

Keringkam is Sarawak Malays’ traditional hand-sewn embroidery using gold or silver thread.

Abang Johari said the gallery would not only attract tourists but supply heritage products for sale.

In addition, he said it would be a place of interest along a heritage trail in Kuching’s historic city centre.

“Our heritage area will cover the new Sarawak Museum Campus and the songket gallery to the Malay villages, Darul Hana bridge, Fort Margherita to the Darul Hana housing project,” Abang Johari said.

State deputy secretary Datuk Dr Sabariah Putit said the gallery served as a platform to market and sell songket and keringkam textiles and products.

The gallery has a retail section selling songket and keringkam textiles, ready to wear items and products, such as handbags and shoes.

“There will be demonstrations of songket weaving and keringkam embroidery. Visitors can also try on traditional costumes and have their photos taken,” Sabariah said, adding that the history of songket and keringkam was also displayed.