You Are What You Wear
By Huraizah Ahmad

Bandar Seri Begawan - A book entitled 'Textiles and Identity In Brunei Darussalam' written by Dr Siti Norkhalbi binti Haji Wahsalfelah was launched yesterday at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD).

The book launch, officiated by chief guest, Dr Awang Hj Junaidi bin Haji Abdul Rahman, Acting Assistant Vice Chancellor of UBD, also saw the presentation of a review of the book by Professor Madya Dr Haji Hashim bin Haji Abdul Hamid.

'Textiles and Identity in Brunei Darussalam' provides a more in-depth research on the role of traditional hand-weaved cloth (Kain Tenunan) in the modern era in Brunei Darussalam. The book focuses on the traditional use of textiles in stating the different social status in terms of ranking and political status in the Brunei Malay society and national identity.

Datin Dr Hajah Saadiah bte Datu Derma Wijaya Haji Tamit, Director of Academy of Brunei Studies, in her speech at the launch, said the book, which was fully subsidised by White Lotus, Bangkok is the second book to have been written by the lecturers of Academy of Brunei Studies.

The book, edited by Dr Michael Howard, Professor of International Studies at the University of Simon Fraser, aims to provide more reading material for research by graduates as well as other scholars interested in the subject, she said.

"Textiles and Identity in Brunei Darussalam, the first book that I have written is part of my PhD thesis that I started working on since 2001. The book that took four years to complete covers extensive research works, including fieldworks that are based on the `Anthropological Approach' which includes observation and participant methodologies," said Dr Siti Norkhalbi in an interview.

"In my book, readers will be able to read about the use of traditional hand-woven cloth in signifying the identity or status of an individual in the local society through the variation in colour and design motifs of the cloth, the influence of Islam in cloth weaving, inter-relations of traditional fabric and values of national heritage in Brunei Darussalam as well as details of the different ways of wearing the traditional fabric," she said. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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