At the side of Iban warriors, a gleaming blade known as the parang Ilang is securely fastened. This sword bears a harrowing history of tribal battles and decapitation. Serving as a symbol of valor and bravery among Iban warriors, the revered weapon is proudly wielded by the traditional Ngajat male dancers, adding to their traditional Terabai ensemble.
Apart from captivating dance performances during festivals and cultural gatherings, the parang has now become a coveted memento for visitors touring Sarawak. At the forefront of this enduring legacy stands Johnny Anak Barangan, one of the few Ibans faithfully upholding the time-honored craft of blade forging, known locally as parang.
Keeping A Family Tradition Alive
The art of swordsmithing runs deep in Johnny Anak Barangan’s family, with the 46-year-old inheriting the trade from his father. From a young age, Johnny understood the importance of carrying on this ancestral craft, which played a crucial role in defining their tribal identity.
The profession has been handed down through generations. I felt a deep sense of responsibility to continue my father’s work, as I wanted to ensure that our cultural identity remained intact. If I don’t continue, no one else will. There were only 1-2 individuals who knew how to make this parang. – Johnny Anak Barangan, swordsmith
Since 2015, Johnny has been the sole Adiguru Pandai Kerja Besi (Master Blacksmith) in Sarawak[1]. Swordsmithing serves as his primary source of income, prompting him to occasionally travel across Sarawak to sell and deliver his parang to customers.
Crafting each parang is a labor-intensive process that takes him two days to complete. The price of the parang varies depending on its size and shape.
The price of a handcrafted parang will depend on its size, shape and design. A shorter one, measuring between 12 and 14 inches, could fetch RM 280. For longer parangs, around 18-20 inches, the price is RM380. – Johnny Anak Barangan, swordsmith
As part of his commitment to preserving the cultural heritage, Johnny takes pride in sharing that his 28-year-old son is also learning the art of crafting these exceptional blades alongside him.
One of my children has taken up my place in the workshop. – Johnny Anak Barangan, swordsmith
Given the limited number of skilled artisans crafting the highly sought-after parang, there is an urgent need to safeguard this craft for future generations. It is a race against time to ensure its continuity.
In the past, only Iban natives showed interest in the parang. However, nowadays, we have more customers coming from West Malaysia. There is a wide market for all types of parang. – Johnny Anak Barangan, swordsmith
Raising The Profile of Native Arts And Crafts
ArtsFAS (Arts For All Seasons) is an initiative by Yayasan Hasanah aimed at supporting artists, artisans, and masters of various crafts, including Johnny. Johnny and others have participated in talent development programs that culminated in exhibitions.
Notably, Johnny’s parangs were prominently featured in ‘The Hearth Brought To Light: A Food-Over-Fire Festival’, which was one of the 107 showcases organized to preserve and celebrate Malaysia’s diverse craft heritage.
Marian Chin, the festival organizer and an ArtsFAS grant recipient, highlighted the significance of the showcase held in Kuching, Sarawak, in upholding Malaysia’s cultural heritage.
It is up to us to honour them [the artisans] because a lot of our masters and legends are getting older. We often take our heritage for granted, but it is actually extremely fragile. – Miriam Chin, ArtsFAS grant recipient, The Hearth Brought To Light: A Food-Over-Fire Festival organiser
Launched during the pandemic, the ArtsFAS initiative has now entered its third year and has gathered artisans from across the country. Zainariah Johari, Yayasan Hasanah’s Head of Arts, Culture, and Public Spaces, emphasized the importance of engaging the younger generation in arts and crafts as a key mission of the initiative.
We often find that it’s not that the younger generation lacks interest. However, there are limited avenues for them to access information in ways that are relevant to them. – Zainariah Johari, Head of Arts, Culture & Public Spaces at Yayasan Hasanah
Launched during the pandemic, the ArtsFAS initiative has now entered its third year and has gathered artisans from across the country. Zainariah Johari, Yayasan Hasanah’s Head of Arts, Culture, and Public Spaces, emphasized the importance of engaging the younger generation in arts and crafts as a key mission of the initiative.
We often find that it’s not that the younger generation lacks interest. However, there are limited avenues for them to access information in ways that are relevant to them. – Zainariah Johari, Head of Arts, Culture & Public Spaces at Yayasan Hasanah
Restoring The Prestige Of Local Artists And Artisans
Johnny vividly recalled Marian’s visit and the profound impact it had on him. Her visit not only attracted new customers but also provided much-needed exposure for his craft. Both Johnny and his son have noticed a significant increase in demand for their blades.
There has been a noticeable increase in demand because exposure through ArtsFAS have helped promote our craft. We are receiving more inquiries about our work. Out of 10 potential customers, 2 or 3 would place an order. – Johnny Anak Barangan, swordsmith
ArtsFAS goes beyond reviving dying arts; it also offers artisans a rightful place in the modern world, opening up new revenue streams for their enterprises.
By bringing these programs to the forefront, we can create audiences and generate demand that leads to increased interest and ultimately ensures sustainability. When we recognize that artisans are not just entertainers but also educators, they gain more relevance, which translates into improved earnings. – Zainariah Johari, Head of Arts, Culture & Public Spaces at Yayasan Hasanah
The declining interest of youth in arts and crafts professions can be attributed, in part, to uncertain income streams compared to other jobs that promise financial security.
Additionally, artists and artisans often face undervaluation in society. However, Zainariah believes it is time to change this perception. Through ArtsFAS, Zainariah and Yayasan Hasanah are taking a step closer to elevating the stature of artisans like Johnny.
We look up to doctors and teachers. Why not artists and artisans? Could it be that entertainment is not considered an obligation or a priority? This is disheartening because artisans carry the weight of our forefathers, preserving the knowledge that gives us our cultural identity, without which no university degree can define us. – Zainariah Johari, Head of Arts, Culture & Public Spaces at Yayasan Hasanah
In its commitment to preserving Malaysia’s rich heritage, ArtsFAS allocated RM4,146,000.00 in 2022 to organise 107 showcases in collaboration with 41 partners. These showcases attracted a total of 48,300 individuals and provided employment opportunities for 3,168 artisans.
Explore the intersection of justice, philanthropy, and impact investing at The Hasanah Forum, or THF, the social impact conference organised by Yayasan Hasanah. Sign up for the free virtual conference at thf.yayasanhasanah.org, held in conjunction with the Asia Venture Philanthropy Conference (avpn.asia/conference), an international event happening in Malaysia co-hosted by Hasanah 20-22 June 2023.
