Linangkit is one of Sabah’s well-known traditional crafts. It is famous for its bright colors, detailed patterns, and strong cultural meaning. The Lotud, Kadazan-Dusun, and other local communities have been making Linangkit for many generations. For them, it is not just decoration but a part of their identity and pride.
Linangkit is a special kind of needle weaving. Instead of stitching on top of the fabric like normal embroidery, the threads are carefully woven into the cloth using a needle. This makes the pattern look raised and colorful. Making Linangkit takes time and patience. A single piece can take several days or even weeks to finish, depending on how detailed the design is.
You can often see Linangkit on traditional clothes such as the sinuangga blouse, the tapi skirt, or sashes used in cultural events. Each design and color has its own meaning. Red shows bravery, yellow stands for prosperity, and black represents strength. The patterns often show ideas from nature or daily life, such as mountains, rivers, or unity in the community.
Linangkit is more than just a craft. It shows the hard work and creativity of the people who make it. Every stitch is a connection between generations, keeping old traditions alive through skill and patience.
Today, Linangkit is not only used in traditional clothing. Modern designers in Sabah now use its patterns on bags, scarves, shoes, and even home decorations. This helps to keep the art alive and lets more people appreciate it in new ways.
However, not many young people know how to make Linangkit today. To protect this tradition, local cultural groups and communities are organizing workshops and programs to teach the younger generation. By doing this, they hope Linangkit will continue to be part of Sabah’s culture for many more years.
Linangkit is more than thread and color. It is a story about the people of Sabah, their strength, creativity, and pride. Each woven piece is a reminder of who they are and how their culture continues to shine through time.