Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah pointed out that safeguarding artefacts or keeping them as museum pieces will not help the nation’s legacy survive the test of time.
“Our heritage must remain relevant in everyday life. It must be worn, lived, and loved,” she said at the Islamic Arts Museum in Kuala Lumpur today.
Tunku Azizah was delivering her royal address on “Introduction to Tenun Pahang Diraja” in conjunction with the Busana: Traditional Costumes of the Malay World exhibition.
On Tenun Pahang Diraja, or Pahang Royal Weave, she stressed that the textile is more than just fabric. “It is a reflection of Malay identity, values, and civilisation.”
“Every thread carries a memory. Every motif carries meaning. And every piece reflects the refinement of a civilisation that understood beauty not as excess, but as discipline, balance, and dignity,” she added.
Tunku Azizah also noted that the weaving tradition in Pahang dates back centuries, with its roots linked to early Malay civilisations such as Langkasuka and the Melaka Sultanate and later enriched by Bugis influences that were adapted into a distinctly local identity.
“From its beginnings as a domestic craft in village homes, Tenun Pahang evolved into a symbol of refinement worn by the aristocracy, before being formally dignified as Tenun Pahang Diraja in 2006,” she explained.
Apart from preserving tradition, Tunku Azizah said, her role is to ensure that it remains meaningful and relevant in a changing world.
“I see it as a responsibility, to preserve (our tradition), to elevate it, and to ensure that it continues to live long after us. Heritage is not inherited by title; it is sustained by commitment,” she said.
She acknowledged that in an era of fast fashion, where speed and volume often take precedence over craftsmanship, preserving traditional craft is a demanding task.
“(But) the real challenge is to modernise without losing meaning, to innovate without losing soul,” she said.
Efforts are being made to ensure the craft continues to thrive, through training programmes, introduction of new designs, and the use of digital platforms and global collaborations.
Tunku Azizah said that through initiatives such as the Yayasan Tenun Pahang Diraja and Perkampungan Kraf Diraja Tunku Azizah, the focus is on nurturing new generations of artisans while keeping the tradition relevant.
“We are embracing digital platforms, global collaborations, and new designs, ensuring that this heritage remains relevant in a changing world.
“We are not choosing between tradition and modernity, we are weaving them together,” she said.
Tunku Azizah said that preserving heritage is, ultimately, not about holding on to the past, but ensuring continuity into the future.
“When we preserve our heritage, we are, in truth, preserving our soul,” she added.