(Seria, Kuala Belait, 13th) To enhance students’ understanding and love of outstanding Malay traditional culture, as well as to improve their hands-on abilities and artistic creativity, the Malay Language Group of Chung Cheng Middle School’s Primary Section recently held a successful Malay Traditional Craft Competition. The event was divided according to age groups: the lower primary group participated in the 'Mat Weaving Competition' and the upper primary group in the 'Headscarf Making Competition,' attracting enthusiastic participation and generating great interest.
The school stated that this event was not only a handicraft class but also a cultural experience. Before the competition, teachers from the Malay Language Group explained to students the historical origin of Malay mats (Tikar) and headscarves (Destar), the meanings behind traditional patterns, and their important status in social life, thus laying a cultural foundation for the practical session.
After the contests, the judging panel conducted a fair evaluation based on traditional craft techniques, creativity, aesthetics, and completeness, and finally selected outstanding works from each grade.
The list of winners is as follows:
Lower Primary Mat Weaving Competition:
Grade 1: Champion: Wu Ziyuan (Tulip Class), First Runner-up: Reina (Jasmine Class), Second Runner-up: Lin Yanjun (Lily Class);
Grade 2: Champion: Emma (Jasmine Class), First Runner-up: Aifa (Tulip Class), Second Runner-up: Yang Jinmi (Tulip Class);
Grade 3: Champion: Zhang Rou (Jasmine Class), First Runner-up: Fading (Tulip Class), Second Runner-up: Li Huixin (Lily Class).
Lower Primary Mat Weaving Competition:
Grade 1: Champion: Wu Ziyuan (Tulip Class), First Runner-up: Reina (Jasmine Class), Second Runner-up: Lin Yanjun (Lily Class);
Grade 2: Champion: Emma (Jasmine Class), First Runner-up: Aifa (Tulip Class), Second Runner-up: Yang Jinmi (Tulip Class);
Grade 3: Champion: Zhang Rou (Jasmine Class), First Runner-up: Fading (Tulip Class), Second Runner-up: Li Huixin (Lily Class).
Upper Primary Headscarf Making Competition:
Grade 4: Champion: Dani (Tulip Class), First Runner-up: Aisha (Lily Class), Second Runner-up: Bei Chengyi (Jasmine Class);
Grade 5: Champion: Ailiya (Lily Class), First Runner-up: Liu Sisi (Jasmine Class), Second Runner-up: Zhang Jiexin (Jasmine Class);
Grade 6: Champion: Lu Andan (Lily Class), First Runner-up: Li Jingyi (Jasmine Class), Second Runner-up: Li Huixin (Jasmine Class).
Grade 4: Champion: Dani (Tulip Class), First Runner-up: Aisha (Lily Class), Second Runner-up: Bei Chengyi (Jasmine Class);
Grade 5: Champion: Ailiya (Lily Class), First Runner-up: Liu Sisi (Jasmine Class), Second Runner-up: Zhang Jiexin (Jasmine Class);
Grade 6: Champion: Lu Andan (Lily Class), First Runner-up: Li Jingyi (Jasmine Class), Second Runner-up: Li Huixin (Jasmine Class).
The school emphasized that the event not only stimulated students’ interest in learning Malay, but also allowed them to appreciate the charm of traditional crafts through hands-on practice. The competition promoted cultural exchange and understanding, making a positive contribution to fostering multiculturalism and promoting ethnic harmony.