Weaving for a living while keeping a legacy alive

Emily Jeneble, a third-generation weaver from Sabah, has turned her family's weaving tradition into a successful livelihood. At the age of nine, she began learning to weave from her grandmother, a skill she has carried with her throughout her life. Today, Emily runs Seri Elf Enterprise, a cooperative that empowers rural women in her village to earn a living through their craft.

Initially earning only RM50 for helping her mother complete a bulk order, Emily's first woven bag brought her significant joy. She named her cooperative "Seri Elf" after her eldest daughter and established the Batu Lunguyan Sook Craft Cooperative in 2005. Today, the cooperative has 55 members, mostly women from B40 households, including single mothers and those with disabilities.

Emily's woven products include clutches, document bags, backpacks, baskets, and tissue boxes, crafted using Salingkawang bamboo weaving techniques. She trains women in her village, purchasing their woven panels to create finished products. The cooperative provides free sewing machines, a rent-free gallery for selling products, and free workshops in weaving and sewing.

Some cooperative members earn between RM1,700 to RM3,000 a month, depending on the availability of orders. Emily emphasizes the importance of promoting their craft and securing buyers to ensure steady income. Her work has earned her numerous awards, including the Craft Entrepreneur Award at the Malaysia International Craft Fair 2026 and a Khazanah ACE² Heritage Textile Fellowship 2025.

Emily's journey began as a family activity, but now it benefits her entire community by providing income for those who previously had none. She hopes to introduce their products to overseas markets, ensuring a brighter future for generations to come.