Weaving a brighter future: Empowering Bajau women on Omadal Island

Summary

• Roziah Jalalid leads an all-women association on Omadal Island that focuses on conservation and entrepreneurship.

• The women preserve Bajau heritage by crafting intricate pandan-leaf products for income.

• Weaving skills are taught to students, ensuring cultural traditions endure.

It’s 7am on Omadal Island in Sabah, and the morning sun casts a warm, golden glow over the turquoise waters that embrace the island.

The gentle lapping of waves is accompanied by the faint scent of salt and dried seaweed, mingling with the enticing aroma of breakfast wafting from nearby kitchens.

After a simple breakfast, Roziah Jalalid steps out of her wooden house, the sound of her footsteps echoing softly against the weathered planks.

Roziah (above) greets her neighbours with a warm smile and exchanges cheerful small talk as she makes her way to her office.

Her office, a modest wooden structure, stands out with its vibrant turquoise-painted walls adorned with old fishing nets and remnants of island life. 

The space exudes charm and purpose, a reflection of the community it serves.

As she opens the door, a cool sea breeze sweeps in, carrying with it the promise of a new day.

Inside, Roziah gets straight to work, meticulously organising the day’s agenda. Her tasks include overseeing the production of intricate handicrafts, coordinating orders with buyers, and brainstorming future programmes for the association.

It’s another busy day for the president of the Omadal Island Women’s Association, but her unwavering determination glows as brightly as the morning sun. 

Driven by women

Since 2008, Roziah has been at the forefront of an all-women association that has transformed women’s lives on the island.

While their efforts began with cleaning beaches and conservation work, their focus quickly expanded to making snacks and crafts, becoming a beacon of environmental and social change.

“Traditionally, while the men on the island worked, most women stayed home, managing household duties,” Roziah explained.

In 2008, WWF-Malaysia launched an environmental awareness programme for the villagers, marking the start of a new chapter for the community.

“Initially, the men were involved, but because they worked off the island and weren’t as interested, it was mostly the women who stayed committed to the programme,” she shared.

The programme which began with raising awareness about environmental issues soon evolved into something much larger.

“What started as a way to educate us about the environment became a turning point.

“WWF asked us what we wanted to learn, and that’s when we expressed our desire to start small businesses to help support our families,” Roziah said in an interview with Malaysiakini.

With guidance from WWF, the association broadened its scope to include critical conservation activities.

The group focused on preserving turtle nesting grounds, cleaning up beaches, and maintaining the overall cleanliness of the island.

“We now have around 25 members, and about half are directly involved in conservation work. They patrol the island, collect waste, and ensure it’s properly managed,” she said.

Rodziah admitted that before WWF’s involvement, many in the community were unaware of how their actions, like dumping waste into the ocean, could harm marine life, particularly turtles.

“Thanks to the programme, we’ve learned the importance of keeping our environment clean and protecting the ecosystem around us,” she said.

In their conservation mission, the women also receive invaluable support from the alternative school on the island, Iskul Sama Di-Laut.

“The students often join our team to help clean the island. While we’ve stopped dumping waste recklessly, trash still occasionally washes ashore.

“This garbage is brought in during the high tide season when the ocean carries debris into our village,” Roziah explained.

From homemakers to entrepreneurs

With the success of their cleaning programme, Roziah shared that the association expanded into another skill that has transformed women into entrepreneurs.

They first tried to produce seaweed-based snacks but failed. However, it did not stop them.

As a Bajau woman, Roziah explained that their community is renowned for its intricate hand-weaving techniques using dried pandan leaves.

Harnessing this traditional skill, the women began creating a variety of handmade products, including mats, handbags in various shapes, decorative items, and more.

“In other cultures that weave, they often use mengkuang leaves, which are slightly larger.

“But among the Bajau, we use dried pandan leaves, which are smaller. This allows us to create intricate designs and motifs unique to our community,” Roziah explained.

When asked about the origins of their motifs, she shared that the designs are deeply inspired by their coastal lifestyle.

“As the Bajau people traditionally lived by the sea, our motifs reflect marine life, the ocean, and its surroundings,” she said.

The process of creating these products is both labour-intensive and rooted in tradition. It begins with harvesting pandan leaves, which are grown around the island. 

The leaves are left to dry for several weeks before being soaked in a special solution mixed with natural dyes to create vibrant colours.

Once ready, the dried and dyed leaves are carefully woven into intricate patterns, showcasing the artisanship passed down through generations.

Roziah noted that since they began producing these items, it has significantly empowered the women in the village, enabling them to contribute financially to their families.

“With the help of a Facebook page, we promote the products we create. We often receive bulk orders from various buyers.

“We even had the opportunity to travel overseas to showcase and promote our work. It’s been an incredible journey for us,” Roziah shared proudly.

Preserving heritage

The weaving initiative has not only preserved the Bajau community’s rich cultural heritage but also provided the women with a sustainable source of income and instilled a deep sense of pride in their traditions.

To ensure this heritage is passed down to future generations, the association has taken proactive steps to teach basic weaving skills to students at Iskul Sama Di-Laut.

“When my children are around, they also help guide the students,” Rodziah shared.

The teaching begins with the fundamentals of weaving.

“We start with the simplest techniques. Usually, the students create something small, like a bracelet, before progressing to more intricate products,” she explained.

These lessons are more than just skill-building exercises; they are an opportunity to introduce younger generations to the cultural significance and history of Bajau weaving.

Through hands-on learning, the students not only develop craftsmanship but also gain an appreciation for their community’s identity and connection to the ocean and nature.

Roziah expressed hope that this effort will inspire the younger generation to continue the tradition.

“By teaching them now, we’re not only preserving our culture but also giving them a skill they can use in the future,” she said.

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