Crafts in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asian crafts have a rich history. From crafts produced for royal courts to folk art, from utilitarian to ritual items, they cover a diverse range of materials and production techniques in textiles, basketry, wood carving, stone carving, metalwork, lacquerware, weaponry and so on. They can be expressions of indigenous traditions or adaptations of external influences on this part of the world placed for centuries along the maritime silk and spice road.

The below are accolades that have been received by the region:

world craft cities, awarded by the World Crafts Council

• Sakon Nakhon, Thailand - Natural Indigo Dyeing

• Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia - Batik

• Khon Kaen, Thailand - Mudmee Ikat

• Gianyar, Indonesia - Crafts

• Kuching, Malaysia - Crafts

UNESCO Creative Cities for Craft and Folk ART

• Pekalongan, Indonesia

• Baguio City, Philippines

• Sukhothai, Thailand

• Chiangmai, Thailand

Seals/ Awards of Excellence for Handicrafts

Multiple Seals/ Awards of Excellence, awarded by UNESCO-AHPADA/ WCC–AHPADA, to craft products demonstrating quality, innovation and marketability in the following material categories - textiles, natural fibers, ceramics, wood, metal, stone and others (including natural materials not mentioned above as well as composite and recycled materials).

UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

The following craft items together with their wider cultural significance are also recognized by UNESCO as the intangible cultural heritage of mankind: Keris (Indonesia), Wayang (Indonesia), Batik (Indonesia), Angklung (Indonesia), Noken Bag (Indonesia), Khon Masks Dance Drama (Thailand).

Significance of the crafts industry in Southeast Asia

The crafts industry is a significant contributor to national economies in Southeast Asia – in Indonesia, the sector contributed USD 892 million of export sales in 2019. Made primarily by skilled hands using appropriate technologies, be they hand or mechanical, crafts products reflect the cultural psyche of a people. Craft production is usually the backbone of rural economies and support a large number of people working in the non-formal sector. As such, sustaining the livelihoods of craft artisans safeguards cultural traditions and identity as well as the viability of rural communities through the ability to generate economic gain from their skills, providing an important means of equitable sustainable development.

AHPADA, through its programs and initiatives in line with its vision of conserving, developing and promoting Southeast Asian crafts, is dedicated to supporting craft artisans and to fostering a conducive environment for the crafts industry in ASEAN.