Threading hope through keringkam

KUALA LUMPUR: The intricate handicraft felt a world away from the life Fizal Yussop knew when he arrived at the Henry Gurney School in Puncak Borneo, Kuching. But as it turns out, during his time there, it would become an unlikely source of purpose and direction.

Fizal was introduced to keringkam, a form of embroidery stitched painstakingly with metallic thread, while undergoing rehabilitation at Henry Gurney School. The institution is part of Malaysia’s network of correctional and rehabilitation centres for young offenders aged between 14 and 21.

Alongside education and vocational training, residents are given opportunities to learn skills that can help them rebuild their lives after leaving. For Fizal, that opportunity came in the form of a needle and thread.

“At first, I had no idea what keringkam was. But when I was given the chance to learn, I was very happy and gradually developed a passion for it,” he told Bernama.

Known for its intricate motifs and delicate workmanship, the craft demands extraordinary patience and precision. Suffice to say, it wasn’t something Fizal mastered overnight.

The ninth of 14 siblings from Kampung Semariang, Kuching admitted there were moments when he nearly gave up, particularly when tackling more complex motifs such as the hibiscus.

Still, he persisted. Between May 2023 and February 2025, he spent countless hours learning the art form, slowly building the skills required to complete pieces that can take up to a month to finish.

Along the way, the craft began shaping more than his embroidery technique: it taught him patience and discipline, while boosing his confidence.

“When I see my finished work, I feel incredibly happy. It motivates me to pursue this interest more seriously,” he said.

After leaving the Henry Gurney School in December, Fizal continued his journey through the Aspire programme organised by the Brooke Museums with support from Yayasan Hasanah.

The programme has allowed him to further develop his skills while giving him the courage to think about the future, including how he might one day help support his family.

His story is also part of a wider effort to preserve keringkam, a traditional art form that has seen its pool of practitioners shrink over the years.

According to Salliza Sideni from Brookes Museums, concerns about the future of keringkam first emerged when researchers found that most embroiderers were elderly.

“In 2016, we found that only one keringkam embroiderer was under the age of 30, while the rest were around 70. If the younger generation is not involved, how can this art form be sustained?”

To address the issue, programmes were introduced involving trainees from Henry Gurney School, Sekolah Tunas Bakti and Taman Seri Puteri in Sarawak.

Participants learn not only traditional embroidery techniques but are also exposed to entrepreneurship skills and provided with basic equipment that can help them earn an income after completing rehabilitation.

Yayasan Hasanah head of arts and public spaces Nurin Marini Ramlan said the initiative has shown how heritage preservation can go hand in hand with personal development.

For participants, the programme offers an opportunity to develop discipline, self-esteem and practical skills. For keringkam, it offers hope that the centuries-old craft will continue to find a place in younger hands.