Artist Profiles

Senia Jugi creates traditional baskets of the Iban people using rattan, natural bembem, arrowroot, and dyed split bamboo. These unique containers are made in various sizes and shapes and serve multiple purposes for everyday life and ritual occasions. Basketry is considered an essential skill for Iban women.

She also makes hats called “topi tunjang” or “sky pointers,” which resemble a crown pointing upward to the sky and are worn for ceremonial purposes. Senia was taught to make baskets by her grandmother, who conveyed the importance of patience, technique, and good counting to master the art.

Her works have received the UNESCO-World Crafts Council Award of Excellence. For many years she has traveled to remote areas of Sarawak, Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia to conduct workshops on basketry and bag making.

Society Atelier Sarwak was founded to uphold knowledge of Sarawak culture and arts.