Malacca - The state is looking to the Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry to provide incentives to keep alive 36 endangered crafts and trades in the city.
Malacca Museums Corporation general manager Khamis Abas said these trades were part of the historic city`s intangible heritage and a component of city, which was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site.
“We have been entrusted to keep the city`s heritage alive, and endangered crafts and trades are an important part of it,” he said.
“One way is to provide incentives to the craftsmen and traders to ensure they carry on with their activities,” he said at a press conference here recently.
The incentives, he added, should include monthly allowances and promotion of the trades as viable commercial activities among the younger generation.
The trades include the making of nyonya beaded shoes, rattan weaving, gold and metal work, coffin and gravestone making, wood carving and kompang making.
He said the museum would gather several craftsmen in Jalan Kota at the three-day World Heritage City Handicraft Festival on Nov 13.
“We hope the ministry will make the festival an annual event to create awareness on the endangered crafts and trades,” he added.
Malacca Heritage Trust vice-president Michael Benerji echoed similar sentiments, saying the ministry could do more to preserve the city`s endangered trades.
“It could set up a company to purchase and market hand-made goods.
“This will help in job creation and encourage young people to take up the trades,” he said.
He said the ministry could also introduce guidelines for those restoring old buildings to use household accessories made by the craftsmen.
Source: http://thestar.com.my (November 03, 2008)
