Handicrafts Heritage Centre Miri Sarawak Malaysia Tributes Crafts Tourism

Handicraft Heritage Centre or Miri Handicraft Centre is the best place to shop for souvenirs and handicrafts of Sarawak while visiting Miri. It is located on Jalan Brooke or Brooke Road, in the city centre of Miri, Sarawak, in East Malaysia.
Overview
Miri Handicraft Centre showcases all sorts of unique and handmade art craft, handicrafts, T-shirts, bead works and many more. It is definitely a place that you must stop by to have a short shopping spree for native handicrafts before going back to your hometown. There are various stalls in the centre and so, the choices and options are uncountable with vibrant colors and unique crafting. These stalls are all run by individuals. Regularly, you can see the locals, mostly elderly, hand craft their products live on the spot. Besides crafting and bead work, there are more products selling in the centre including the Penan mats and bakestry items. Wood tied bracelet and necklace are to be seen around too. The building that houses the handicraft centre has rich historical means as it is previously functioned as the Community Hall of Miri state.
Formerly, there are many events held in that very place including wedding receptions and dinner, state dinner, community social activities and etc. Shopping in the heritage centre is a nice experience as the sellers are all very friendly. They are good in suggestions and opinions. Moreover, you do not even need to bargain with them to achieve the lower price as they will automatically give you some discounts if you were to purchase around 2-3 items. Plus, the prices are very reasonable and affordable. There is a famous tit bit selling next door too, naming the Sago Biscuits. Sago Biscuits is one of the famous foods in Miri that tourists have to taste.
If you plan to spend a few nights in Miri, accommodations would not be a problem. There are many hotels in the city centre from budget hotels to luxurious ones. Decent hotels with excellent services are everywhere including Mega Hotel, Imperial Hotel and Park City Everly Hotel, just to name a few. However, it is better to make reservations ahead to guarantee a room especially in peak seasons such as during the school holidays or any public holidays.
Transport
It is easy to reach the Handicraft Heritage Centre as it is located in the city centre. Hail a taxi and you will reach your destination. You can also rent a car to drive about in Miri town. Once you are at Merbau Road or Brooke Road near the Miri Hotel and Pacific Orient Hotel, you will spot the handicraft centre.
Miri Handicraft Centre
The Miri Handicraft Centre on Jln Brooke is a fascinating showcase of the ethnic arts and crafts of northern Sarawak. Stalls are run by the individual producers, and craftspeople can often be viewed at work here. Items on sale include Penan mats and basketry, Orang Ulu beadwork and woodcarvings, and a variety of textiles from around the state. Cultural performances are occasionally held at weekends. Open 9am - 6pm daily.
Waving & Basketry
Palm, rattan, tree barks, bamboo and various other plants gathered from the forests are woven into works of art by the many tribal community here. The Bidayuh are famous for their ‘kesah’ mats, stoutly woven from rattan and beaten tree bark while the Melanaus and Malays are well known for using the leaves of sago, pendanus and palms to make intricately plaited baskets, colorful mats, hats and home decorative items. And, the Ibans weave intricate arrowroot patterned mats which show up only in oblique light.
Pua Kumbu
Iban women are among the finest weavers of the Pua Kumbu, a textile twisted or ‘ikat’, tie-dyed and skilfully woven on the backstrap loom. The technique is passed from generation to generation with many of the designs/patterns weaved from memory. An experienced weaver will need an inspirational dream to create a new design.
Pottery
Family run pottery kilns produce beautiful and uniquely handcrafted decorative and functional earthenware.
Beadworks
The Orang Ulu ladies are the artisans of this fine craft. In their possession are antique necklaces, headgears and baby carriers which include rare beads from China, Venice and the Middle East, pointing to a trading culture that goes back centuries ago. Whilst having used these ancient beads for trading in the early days, this ancient art is experiencing a revival and now they make ceramic beads for their traditional costumes and for trading.