An Insight into the Making of Kayan's Traditional Handicrafts: Lifelong Learning Perspective

• Main Author: Denalda, Ubong La
• Format: Final Year Project Report
• Language: English
• Published: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, (UNIMAS)
• Subjects: H Social Sciences (General); L Education (General)
• Online Access: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/47541/1/Denalda.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/47541/

The Kayan tribe is one of the indigenous ethnics living in the central interior region of Sarawak. They have been making traditional handicrafts since the early days of their ancestors. This research explores mainly the lifelong learning of the Kayan's people, and how they transfer and share the traditional knowledge among their community members. The study investigates the challenges that they faced when learning the traditional knowledge. A qualitative research approach using the ethnography design method was used to study on the making of traditional handicrafts among the Kayan ethnic. Three informants were purposively selected and interviewed. The data was analyzed using content analysis method. The lifelong learning practiced by the Kayan people uses self-directedness, informal learning, personal development and professional development methods. The traditional knowledge is shared using verbal teaching and learning, pass down from older generation to another and shared among their community members. There are several challenges especially in term of time, to master new skills and designing patterns plus the critics and comments from the elderly that are disheartening. The Kayan people have been self-directed in learning new things informally and most of them are committed to learn for their personal and professional improvement