GEORGE TOWN: In the old days, a Nyonya girl who desired to get married had to possess not only the skills of cooking, cleaning and sewing, but also the abilities to crochet, knit and do embroidery. These traditional skills were essential for a prospective bride, but the most coveted and admired skill was the art of beadwork, as highlighted by Peranakan artisan May Lim Seiw Seng.
According to the Penang Heritage Trust (PHT), a prospective bride was expected to create kasut manik (beaded shoes) as part of her wedding dowry. These intricately designed shoes have become highly prized in modern times for their complexity and craftsmanship.
The exceptional beadwork skills and contributions of Lim were recently recognized by the PHT as she was honored with the prestigious Living Heritage Treasures Award (LHTA). Among the 16 Penangites who have received this award since 2004, Lim, at 77 years old, joins the ranks for her outstanding work in preserving and advancing the craft of nyonya beadwork.
“I have been captivated by beadwork since a young age, having observed my grandaunt practicing it. I would collect the discarded beads and create bracelets for myself,” said Lim. “Receiving this recognition is immensely gratifying as it truly represents the essence of Peranakan culture.”
Lim’s creative process involves designing her beadwork shoes intuitively, without the aid of preliminary patterns or sketches. It typically takes her one and a half months to complete a single pair of shoes, with each pair consisting of up to 19,000 beads. Reflecting on her accomplishments, Lim expressed pride in every piece she has created.
Born in Bayan Lepas and raised in Jelutong, Lim pursued a career in the education sector and spent some time in Kuala Lumpur before returning to Penang. Her last appointment was as the principal of Convent Light Street before retiring in 1994.
Present at the award ceremony was PHT president Lim Gaik Siang, who emphasized that the LHTA aims to honor individuals like Lim and document and preserve their skills and crafts. Nominations for the award are made by the public, and a panel of judges selects the winners. Recipients are granted a lifelong stipend of RM2,000 per year.
LHTA convenor Loh-Lim Lin Lee added that heritage goes beyond architectural landmarks and includes individuals who exemplify the uniqueness of Penang through their skills and crafts. Several previous award recipients, such as Datuk Chuah Thean Teng (batik artist), Datuk Lim Bian Yam (chef, writer, and floral designer), and Mohd Bahroodin Ahmad (performing arts and cultural expert), have passed away. Additionally, three other awardees, including Lee Beng Chuan (handmade joss-stick artisan), Kok Ah Wah (signboard carver), and Noo Wan@Wan Dee Aroonratana (Thai menora performer, cultural expert, and shaman), recently passed away in 2020 and 2022.
Among the surviving recipients are Ooi Sew Kim (Hokkien puppetry), aged 83, Toh Ai Wah (Teochew puppetry), aged 72, Sim Buck Teik (master rattan weaver), aged 94, Cecil Rajendra (poet and human rights activist), aged 82, Haja Mohideen Mohd Shariff (songkok artisan), aged 75, and Datuk Seri Dr. Anwar Fazal (social and consumer activist), aged 82.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
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