Kaamatan festival boosts business for Sabah seamstress

Free Malaysia Today

3 days ago

Norhayati Ajirul has to extend her business hours during Kaamatan to cater to demand for her traditional clothing. (Bernama pic)
KOTA KINABALU : Kaamatan, Sabah's biggest ethnic celebration held throughout this month, is a profitable season for local seamstress Norhayati Ajirul.
Although her shop is modest in size, its reputation rests on the quality of her craftsmanship. Her neat stitching, precise tailoring, and intricate bead embroidery – showcased in her traditional attire from various Sabahan tribes – continue to draw customers eager for both ready-made and custom items.
Norhayati, a Bajau from Kudat, said demand for traditional clothing spikes significantly during the festive season. She works alongside five employees to fulfil the flood of orders.
'Orders for traditional clothes come in all year round, but when Kaamatan arrives, they multiply. Alhamdulillah, even our ready-made clothes sell out. We have regular customers and even local wholesalers who rely on us,' the 52-year-old told Bernama.
As such, Norhayati has to adjust her business hours during the festival month. 'Normally, we open from morning until evening. But during Kaamatan, we start as early as 7am and close at 9pm.
'A week or two before the height of Kaamatan, it's non-stop, with no time for breaks.'
Her team can complete as many as five traditional outfits a day, each garment taking between two and five hours, depending on the complexity of the design.
Prices for each outfit depend on the size and design, with children's traditional clothing selling at RM100 to RM150 apiece, and adult outfits from RM500 to over RM2,000.
'This brings me joy'
Norhayati said her interest in the uniqueness of Sabah's ethnic traditional wear led her to venture into the trade. Before running her own tailoring business, she gained experience as a salesperson and seamstress at another tailor shop.
Norhayati with her daughter Anisa Baqeera, who helps to draw younger customers by promoting their outfits on social media. (Bernama pic)
The mother of four picked up her skills independently without attending formal sewing courses. She also drew inspiration from local newspapers that featured pageant contestants showcasing traditional attire from their respective districts.
'There are various challenges in producing traditional clothes, especially with the embroidery and beadwork. You have to know the correct placement, how to assemble each district's attire, and understand the unique patterns.
'I sew every day, but I never feel tired or bored because this work brings me joy,' she said, adding that she hopes to expand her business in the future.
Meanwhile, Norhayati's youngest child, Anisa Baqeera, plays an important role in modernising the business by promoting their traditional outfits on social media.
'We want to attract more customers, especially those of the young generation. Social media is the best way to do it,' the 22-year-old said.
For customer Mohd Nazllie Zainul, a journalist, businesses involved in producing traditional clothing do more than just generate income for their proprietors.
'They play a crucial role in preserving and celebrating Sabah's ethnic arts and culture, while attracting the interest of both domestic and international tourists,' he said.
Food trader Farradiah Awang Bahari, 44, shared that she purchased ethnic attire from the boutique for her son, who is celebrating Kaamatan at his school.
'I believe it's important to expose children to our culture from an early age, so they can experience and appreciate its beauty,' she said.