Penan Women Project

Penan Women Project HELPING PENAN WOMEN LEAD BETTER LIVES

The Penans are one of the indigenous tribes of Borneo. It has not been an easy task though.

They are believed to be the last nomadic hunter-gatherers in Malaysia. For thousands of years they have lived in harmony with the rainforest, the place they call their home. As hunter-gatherers, they relied heavily on the rainforest to supply their needs - from food to shelter. Many have embraced modernity now and live in resettlement communities though some still remain semi-nomadic. No matter wh

ere they are, they are learning to cope with living in the modern world. The Penan need to learn how to sustain themselves as well as give their children a formal education. They need to be supported in their transition as nomadic hunter-gatherers. These are among the reasons why we started a Penan Women Project (PWP) . This project focuses on the women of the Penan tribe and helps them sustain themselves by earning a regular income as well as ensure the continuity of their heritage such as weaving as the Penan women are expert weavers despite having no formal education. Their patterns are intricate; the quality of their work is excellent. PWP was established by the Miri Women Weaving Association (MWWA) to market the woven bags to the public. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of these indigenous bags are channelled back to the Penan community. PWP buys the bags from the Penan women at fair value and helps to market them in community fairs and bazaars. PWP work in product development to meet the urban interest, color coordination and quality control with their weaver members who were once weave with the attitude of "boleh pakai saja" (good enough to use) to know urban people want to see quality work. Because they use the product differently. To gain support, we always need to be ahead and keep on improving our work. This is how we return the support we gain from our customers. When you buy a Penan handwoven bag, know that your support helps empower the Penan women. The Penan woman relies entirely on her husband but if her husband doesn’t have a job, they will have no income. They resort to hunting and selling whatever they can obtain from the rainforest which is not a sustainable way to live.

Congratulations to legacyhillhotel on the momentous Grand Opening in Kuching, Sarawak! This remarkable event marks a new...
05/11/2025

Congratulations to legacyhillhotel on the momentous Grand Opening in Kuching, Sarawak! This remarkable event marks a new milestone for the hospitality industry in our vibrant city. Your commitment to excellence and dedication to providing exceptional service will undoubtedly contribute to the growth of tourism in Kuching and beyond. We are grateful for your continued support toward our shared goals and initiatives. May your legacy flourish and inspire others in the community to strive for success and excellence. Here's to a bright future and many prosperous years ahead!

22/10/2025

If you come to Kuching, you may check in to legacyhillhotel or just come here to Shop for a Good Cause and have some nice food and coffee at the cafe.

Dear Friends in Singapore, You're Invited!Visit our booth at C3, Convention Centre Atrium (Opposite Uniqlo) Discover ex...
17/10/2025

Dear Friends in Singapore, You're Invited!

Visit our booth at C3, Convention Centre Atrium (Opposite Uniqlo)
Discover exclusive Special Price Penan Handwoven Bags & Baskets
Available only during this event, from today until Sunday! 17-19Oct at the Sarawak Mega Fair!

Don’t miss the chance to own beautifully crafted, unique handwoven accessories and have a taste of Sarawak Laksa, KolokMee or Sparkling Tuak!

We look forward to seeing you there!

We are proud to be part of the Sarawak Week at Osaka Expo 2025, showcased under the Malaysia Pavilion! 🇲🇾✨Highlighting t...
11/08/2025

We are proud to be part of the Sarawak Week at Osaka Expo 2025, showcased under the Malaysia Pavilion! 🇲🇾✨

Highlighting the Penan Women Project products, we celebrate the resilience, skills, and rich cultural heritage of Penan community. This incredible initiative not only empowers our artisans but also connects their stories to a global audience. 🌍💪

A special thank you to Sarawak MINTRED for giving us this amazing opportunity, and to the Malaysia Pavilion for featuring us and opening doors to international market opportunities. Together, we’re paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future!

Thank you AICHR Malaysia for the support.
09/07/2025

Thank you AICHR Malaysia for the support.

Exciting News! We're happy to announce the opening of our new retail location at The Legacy Hill Hotel , 395 Ban Hock Ro...
03/07/2025

Exciting News! We're happy to announce the opening of our new retail location at The Legacy Hill Hotel , 395 Ban Hock Road, Kuching! 🎉

Thanks to the support and collaboration fromThe Legacy Hill Hotel, this new store helps us serve both the local community and visitors alike.

While visiting Kuching, stay at the beautiful boutique hotel in the city’s heart and support our products during your stay. Enjoy comfort and convenience all in one!

🇯🇵こんにちは 🌸🎏 親愛なる日本のサポーターの皆さまへ お待たせしました！「Penan Women Project」の製品がついに日本でご覧いただけるようになりました。 大阪の千里阪急百貨店にて、皆さまのお越しを心よりお待ちしており...
02/07/2025

🇯🇵こんにちは 🌸🎏
親愛なる日本のサポーターの皆さまへ

お待たせしました！「Penan Women Project」の製品がついに日本でご覧いただけるようになりました。
大阪の千里阪急百貨店にて、皆さまのお越しを心よりお待ちしております。

ぜひお立ち寄りください！

#日本初上陸

We’ve partnered with Rimba, a Korean company, since early last year, and the results have been fantastic! This collabora...
30/06/2025

We’ve partnered with Rimba, a Korean company, since early last year, and the results have been fantastic! This collaboration has introduced the Penan Women Project to the Korean market, showcasing our artisans’ exquisite craftsmanship and opening new opportunities for them.

Recently, Rimba was listed on one of Korea’s top platforms, which is very encouraging news for all of us.

감사합니다 Rimba, for your ongoing support. Wishing you continued success in promoting our cultural heritage and support our cause!

Explore Rimba's collections on MUSINSA here: [https://www.musinsa.com/search/goods?keyword=rimba&keywordType=keyword&gf=A](https://www.musinsa.com/search/goods?keyword=rimba&keywordType=keyword&gf=A)

무신사에서 rimba 관련 상품 프로모션, 상품 리스트, 관련 브랜드와 코디 등 다양한 정보를 확인하세요.

Thank you, The Sun Malaysia, for shining a spotlight on the incredible story of the Penan women in Sarawak! 🧵✨ Your cove...
18/06/2025

Thank you, The Sun Malaysia, for shining a spotlight on the incredible story of the Penan women in Sarawak! 🧵✨ Your coverage helps bring much-needed awareness to their beautiful hand-woven products and the positive transformation happening within their community.

Read the inspiring article here: https://thesun.my/malaysia-news/positive-transformation-for-penan-women-FD14174809 #

Let's continue to support and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the Penan!

Penan Women Project has blossomed into a powerful movement for cultural preservation, gender equality and community-driven development.

To our Singapore supporters
15/06/2025

To our Singapore supporters

We are here at the Hikmah Exchange Event Center for the Sarawak International Choral Festival 2025. Come and support! 14...
14/06/2025

We are here at the Hikmah Exchange Event Center for the Sarawak International Choral Festival 2025. Come and support!

14th June - 9am - 5pm
15th June - 12nn - 6pm

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Kuching

Opening Hours

Tuesday 11:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 11:00 - 17:00
Thursday 11:00 - 17:00
Friday 11:00 - 17:00
Saturday 13:00 - 17:00

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