 Ariane
and the Kite Maker, Pak Safie Jusoh. She dorns on the Malay traditional
costume, Baju Kebaya and a Tudung (headscarf). Over here, she waits
patiently as her kite is being designed.
::
Malaysian Kite - Wau ::
:: The Kite Maker ::
It was really an experience when Ariane (my doll), my family
and I stepped into the little hut of Pak Safie Jusoh. I was
immediatedly struck with awe. Hanging from the ceiling of
the entire hut were the most elaborate and colourful kites
I have ever seen in my life. Sure, I have seen some of these
Kelantanese kites made its way to the cosmopolitan city of
KL. However, none were even as close to the skill of this
elderly kite-maker, who had spent over 30 years on his craft.
Still struck with awe, we approached the kite-maker and asked
if he would produce a miniature kite for my dolls. Politely,
he agreed and set to work immediately. His tools were a common
pen knife, a small cutting mat, and a box which he places
some pieces of coloured paper in it. He proceeded to cut the
paper. Within 10 minutes, he was done. This time, we were
even more impressed and delighted at the same time. Upon finishing,
he took a puff on his cigarette, feeling satisfied.
"Fewer people are making these kites these days",
he laments on the nature of his craft. These words motivated
me to begin researching into traditional Malaysian crafts
and its other dying traits. |
Ariane
showing of the kite design which was done in 10 minutes.
After placing some kite orders, we proceeded to leave. A feeling
of serenity came over me. I was touched by the simplicity
of Pak Safie Jusoh and his dedication to his craft. Unlike
us who live in the cosmopolitan world, there was no air about
him, just a simple pride in the kites he made.
|
::
Black & White Portraits of the Kite Maker ::
Black
& White photos taken of the Pak Safie Jusoh at work. Sometimes,
young apprentices from the village accompany him while he works (left
picture).
This is my favourite shot of him, having a puff after work. After
doing some research on the Internet, I realised that he is a veteran
kite maker for several International Kite-Competitions. |
:: Kite Culture ::
Indigenous to the people living in Kelantan and Terengganu, these
kites are a special craft of West Malaysia. Due to its similarity
with the shape of an Arabic letter, these kites are known as "Wau"
in malay. Also when the kites are flown on the sky, it produces
a humming sound which is similiar to "wauuuu". So symbolic
is the Wau that Malaysian Airlines has even used it as its logo.
Making these kites is a tedious job and requires a great amount
of patience. Firstly, bamboo is used to make the frames for the
kites, which keeps the kites sturdy and lightweight. Next, motifs
are carved out of coloured paper and shiny glazed paper. The intricacy
of the carvings is what sets a good kite maker apart from the others.
The carvings are then meticulously glued onto the frames. Finally
the kite is decorated with bright paper tassels.
The motifs on the kites are normally flowers with vines. The flowers
represents the man while the vines represent the ladies. After the
harvest period, these kites are commonly flew over the padi fields.
This is a breaktime for all the farmers who had work hard through
the rice-planting season.
|
These
kites are known as the Wau Bulan (Moon Kites) because of their cresent
shape.
Ume modelling the finished kite by
Pak Safie Jusoh.
|
:: OWN A MINIATURE
KITE FOR YOUR DOLL? ::
Exclusive made for Dollsville Shop by the Kite-Maker, Pak Safie
Jusoh. To get one please click here to see the varieties: Malaysian
Kites
|
All
works are Copyright 2004© jooli.com. Please seek permission
for use.
LINKS
- Hasnah
Hariri, "Biggest Kite take to the Sky", http://allmalaysia.info/news/story.asp?,
8th July 2005,
(Accessed 18th October 2005)
... remarks: Some information is inaccurate. Pak Safie is
never married, the "son" is probably an apprentice
or his nephew.
This
is the competition kite taken outside his hut.
-
"Terengganu Craft", http://www.terengganutourism.com/culture_arts_trg_craft.htm,
(Accessed 18th October 2005)
- "Kite of Malaysia", http://www.kiteman.co.uk/MalaysianCollection%20.html,
(Accessed 18th October 2005)
- "Wau", http://www.abcmalaysia.com/tour_malaysia/wau.htm,
(Accessed 18th October 2005)
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