Dr. M. Muthukrishnan, (Traditional thanjavurpainting artist) / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

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Top 10 Malaysian Traditional Arts & Crafts

Malaysia's craft scene is one of Southeast Asia's richest, woven from Malay court traditions, Chinese artisanal skills, Indian textile mastery, and the indigenous arts of Sabah and Sarawak. From royal songket to Iban pua kumbu, these ten crafts are still made by hand and sold as living art. Scroll through, then cast your vote for the one you'd most want to own.

Location: MY2026113 viewsMar 12, 2026 Updated Oct 3, 2026

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#1
Batik Malaysia
Batik Malaysia commands the top spot as the nation's most commercially significant traditional textile, with its floral motifs and block-printing techniques generating an estimated RM 200 million in annual retail sales. Unlike Javanese batik, it emphasizes larger, natural patterns and predominantly uses cap (copper stamp) printing rather than hand-drawn wax-resist, making it faster to produce.
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#2
Songket Weaving
Songket Weaving, the royal textile of the Malay world, is unsurpassed in luxury with gold-thread patterns requiring up to three months per kain. A single handwoven piece can cost RM 5,000, reflecting the 200 grams of silver-gilt thread used and the artisan's 600+ hours of labour. This makes songket 150% pricier than the category average for Malaysian textiles, positioning it as a heirloom investment rather than everyday wear.
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#3
Pua Kumbu, Sarawak
Pua Kumbu from Sarawak stands as the most culturally sacred textile on this list, with ritual Iban weavings using 40 distinct motifs like the stylized crocodile and serpent that encode ancestral protection spells. Its backstrap loom technique produces a density of 60 warp threads per inch, 25% higher than typical songket, yet a single cloth can take six months to complete.
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#4
Wayang Kulit Shadow Puppetry
Wayang Kulit Shadow Puppetry remains Malaysia's most enduring performance art, with a single dalang manipulating up to 100 water-buffalo-hide puppets in an eight-hour overnight show. This efficiency makes it the most accessible traditional craft for live audiences, with a full performance costing RM 1,500 to hire.
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#5
Malaysian Pewter (Royal Selangor)
As the world's largest pewter manufacturer, Royal Selangor produces over 2 million pieces annually, making its Malaysian pewter craft the undisputed global leader. Founded in the 1880s by Yong Koon, the brand's Visitor Centre in Kuala Lumpur lets guests observe master craftsmen and try pewter beating in the School of Hard Knocks workshop.
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#6
Keris Making
The keris, Malaysia's most spiritually significant artefact, commands higher ceremonial status than any other craft on this list—master empu bladesmiths forge it from meteoritic iron and locally smelted steel through repeated folding and consecration that can last months. At prices exceeding RM50,000 for a fine example, its production is slower than the average craft, demanding over 100 hours per blade. This intense process elevates the keris beyond Rattan Weaving's purely functional artistry.
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#7
Rattan Weaving, Sarawak
Sarawak's rattan weaving by Orang Ulu and Penan communities produces baskets with geometric patterns that command international acclaim, achieving prices 20% higher than similar crafts from Keris Making due to their growing contemporary design appeal.
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#8
Tenun Pahang Diraja Royal Weaving
Tenun Pahang Diraja, under royal patronage since the 19th century, produces silk and gold-threaded fabrics with distinct colour palettes that command 30% higher prices than the average songket from Kelantan or Terengganu. This premium positioning ensures royal functions rely on Tenun Pahang for ceremonial attire.
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#9
Dikir Barat Performance Art
Dikir Barat is a highly dynamic competitive vocal art form with deep roots in Kelantan, Malaysia. This performance tradition involves two teams engaging in improvised verse call-and-response, a characteristic that makes each performance unique and unpredictable. The teams are accompanied by traditional instruments such as the rebana ibu (frame drum) and a pair of hand cymbals (kesi), which provide a rhythmic foundation for the vocalists. Dikir Barat is known for its continuous evolution, with new compositions and choreographed gestures regularly introduced. This adaptability helps maintain its appeal, particularly among younger audiences. In 2021, Dikir Barat was officially recognized by the National Heritage Department of Malaysia as a National Heritage. While its competitive nature is a major draw, the performances also serve as a communal gathering, fostering a sense of shared cultural identity and artistic expression.
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#10
Malaysian Pottery & Labu Sayong
The Labu Sayong water vessel, originating from Kuala Kangsar, Perak, is a remarkable traditional Malaysian craft renowned for its ability to naturally cool water. These distinctive black pottery vessels are hand-coiled from local iron-rich clay and traditionally fired using open-flame techniques. The unique cooling property of Labu Sayong is attributed to the porous nature of the clay, which allows for evaporative cooling. Each vessel typically takes several days to produce, a testament to the intricate craftsmanship involved. In 2021, the Malaysian government declared Labu Sayong a National Heritage, underscoring its cultural significance and the need for its preservation. While the number of active master potters has declined over the past two decades, efforts to conserve this craft, including workshops and cultural tourism initiatives, have seen an increase in visitor numbers to the Sayong pottery village since 2022. The Labu Sayong stands as a testament to enduring traditional methods and the practical artistry of Malaysian pottery.
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Frequently asked questions

What are the most famous traditional arts and crafts in Malaysia?

Top examples include batik, songket, wau (kite making), keris making, wood carving, and wayang kulit (shadow puppetry), each with deep cultural significance.

Where can I buy authentic Malaysian traditional crafts?

Authentic crafts can be found at local markets like Kuala Lumpur’s Central Market, cultural villages such as Kampung Budaya in Terengganu, and government-run craft centers like Karyaneka.

Are Malaysian traditional arts and crafts still being practiced today?

Yes, many crafts are actively preserved through government initiatives, cultural workshops, and artisan communities, though some face challenges from modernization.

Can tourists learn or participate in making Malaysian traditional crafts?

Yes, many cultural centers and craft villages offer hands-on workshops—for example, batik painting in Kelantan or songket weaving in Terengganu.

What is the difference between batik and songket?

Batik involves wax-resist dyeing on fabric to create patterns, while songket is a handwoven textile with gold or silver threads traditionally worn for formal occasions.