Mata Burung
by Jonita Ayat
The artist draws inspiration from the expansive bird’s-eye perspective, capturing the rural landscapes that define their community and the natural world that surrounds it. This vantage point reflects not only the physical environment—fields, rivers, and forests—but also the presence of larger-than-average birds that inhabit and traverse the area, whose movements and patterns of flight have long fascinated and informed the artist’s visual vocabulary. Through the weaving, the rhythm and flow of these avian forms are translated into a dynamic interplay of lines, textures, and spaces, evoking the harmony between the community and its natural surroundings.
The piece culminates in the distinctive kotek pattern, a recurring motif deeply embedded within the community’s artistic tradition. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the kotek carries profound cultural significance, symbolizing the continuity of heritage and the enduring connection between ancestors and descendants. Woven repeatedly across generations, this pattern functions as a visual thread linking past, present, and future—an emblem of the resilience, identity, and values of the community.
Through this weaving, the artist creates more than a decorative object; they craft a narrative of coexistence, memory, and cultural pride. Each motif tells a story of a people rooted in their land, attentive to the rhythms of nature, and committed to preserving traditions that have been nurtured over centuries. The work stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of their heritage, celebrating the seamless integration of nature, symbolism, and artisanal mastery within the fabric of daily life.
About the Community
The Penan community is one of Sarawak’s most distinctive Indigenous groups, renowned for their deep, symbiotic relationship with the rainforest. Traditionally semi-nomadic, the Penan have long been celebrated as master trackers, gatherers, and forest guardians, possessing unparalleled knowledge of jungle plants, wildlife behaviour, and natural navigation. Their lives revolve around the rhythms of the rainforest, which they regard not simply as a resource, but as a living home, teacher, and ancestral heritage.
Historically, the Penan relied on a nomadic lifestyle—moving through the forest in small family groups, hunting with blowpipes, and gathering wild sago, fruits, and medicinal plants. While many Penan communities have since settled in longhouse villages due to development pressures and government resettlement efforts, their cultural identity remains deeply rooted in the forest. Even today, countless Penan continue to depend on traditional ecological knowledge for food, crafts, and daily living.
One of the community’s most admired skills is their intricate weaving tradition. Penan women create beautifully patterned baskets, mats, and bags (notably the iconic Selabit and the modern rattan Penan bag), using forest materials such as rattan and pandanus. Each pattern carries meaning—often inspired by plants, rivers, or ancestral stories—reflecting a cultural worldview where art, nature, and memory are intertwined.
The Penan are also widely recognised for their role in environmental activism. For decades, they have been at the forefront of efforts to protect Sarawak’s rainforests, advocating for land rights, sustainable development, and the preservation of their cultural and ecological heritage. Their peaceful blockades in the 1980s and 1990s became symbolic of Indigenous resistance against deforestation and continue to inspire global conservation movements.
Today, the Penan community stands at a crossroads—embracing education, new livelihoods, and cultural revitalisation while striving to protect the rainforest that has shaped their identity for generations. Their story is one of resilience, stewardship, and an enduring commitment to the land that sustains them.
About the Artists
Jonita Ayat is a talented Penan basket weaver whose artistry is rooted in the traditions and rhythms of her community. Beyond her skill with rattan, Jonita plays a vital role as a community leader, guiding and inspiring the women in her village—from harvesting rattan by hand to dyeing and weaving each basket with care, intention, and meaning. Every piece she creates reflects not only technical mastery but also the heart and dedication she pours into preserving Penan craft traditions.
Jonita’s work extends beyond weaving; she is actively engaged in heritage preservation and cultural storytelling. Collaborating on a branding initiative, she helped translate her craft into a visual identity that honors the people and motifs of her community. Through a simple yet thoughtful tag design, each woven piece now carries a narrative—connecting the artistry of the Penan with audiences beyond the forest, while celebrating the stories, skills, and heritage embedded in every creation.
Through her craft and leadership, Jonita Ayat exemplifies resilience, cultural pride, and the enduring spirit of Penan artistry, ensuring that traditional knowledge and creative expression continue to thrive for generations to come.