Ethnic tribes of Sarawak considered clay beads as mysterious items. The uniqueity and differences of each tribe are reflected in the way the beads are tied together. A newborn baby means another protective eyes to wear a bead anklet and protect it from evil. Beads are sewn on clothes or beaded collars to wear on special festivals and opportunities such as weddings and other great ceremonies.
Baiduh 's main costume is black and red, it has colored beads. For women's dance costumes, colorful beads are embroidered on colorful artwork of black and red velvet.
Beads means the wealth and status of Melanaus and Bidayuhs. These beads have unusual antique beads in the Middle East, Venice and China. In Sarawak the ancient merchants are trading here.
The native wearing these beads will contain brass bells for women's wearers to protect the wild boar teeth, or wearers from harm, for strength and responsibility. Beads are transmitted from generation to generation, and its value increases over time like assets. The mother collects the beads after the child was born. Men can also use beads as dowry when they want to get married. The type and number of beads owned by men reflects the value and status in society.
Sarawak 's Lumbawan tribe, also known as Olanglu (Uluru), is famous for bead work. The Lun Bawang tribe in the village called Long Tuma at the northern end of Sarawak produces its own ceramic beads decorating baby carriers, female handbags, sun hats, bracelets, anklets, belts and so on.
Most of the Lun Bawang tribe is staying in Lawas, 4 hours by car from Sabah State Kota Kinabalu. Lun Bawang women make beads from clay making full use of creative techniques, sell it and make it to a shop in the city.
The history of long Tumas dating back from the Brook era. Most of the village women are engaged in the manufacture of ceramic beads for necklaces, bracelets, and other clay-based accessories as a source of income for them. Through the development of the rural industrial program, the Sarawak government commercialized the bead manufacturing technology of the people of Rumbawan through exhibitions and exposure around Sarawak. These beads are attractive to Bruneian tourists. Lawas is in the immediate vicinity of Brunei. Here, tourists will often buy beadwork in the village. The government exports these beads to Sabah State, Western Malaysia and abroad.
