
A HISTORY
Tenun Pahang can be said to have had a foothold in Pahang since the 17th century. Pahang's skill of weaving is believed to have been introduced by a Bugis dignitary and master weaver named Keraing Aji or Tok Tuan, as he was more commonly known.
According to author William Linehan, however, the skill of weaving had purportedly existed in Pahang long before Tok Tuan's arrival. In fact, records show that he only improved upon already known techniques. Yet Tok Tuan is still considered the founder of the tenun industry in Pahang. He had successfully built and developed tenun into an industry that grew in importance and was later enthusiastically embraced across the region. Until the end of his days, Tok Tuan not only pioneered weaving techniques but also generously shared with local weavers his skill of weaving. Today, the tomb of Tok Tuan can be found in Kampung Mengkasar, Pekan.
It is said that each piece of Tenun Pahang contains the myths, beliefs and traditions of the people of Pahang from the days of yore. Under the endorsement of Her Royal Highness Tengku Ampuan Besar Tunku Meriam, Tenun Pahang was refined into an exquisite textile to be worn in the the palace.
Over a century after her demise, Her Majesty Tengku Ampuan Pahang Tunku Azizah, the former's great grand-niece, took it upon herself to revive a lost craft, in its current state far surpassing its former glory. Tenun Pahang is now known as the Royal Pahang Weave, or Tenun Pahang Diraja in the Malay language. Its Royal conferment a symbol of eminence and sophistication.


