Kelantan's Wau Museum

Story on Kelantan's Lost Craft - Wau-maker (Kite-maker), click HERE.


Back in 2014, I visited Kelantan and wrote about Kelantan's Lost Craft - Wau-maker (Kite-maker), it was awe-aspiring… every effort, the smallest detail, was done with passion and drive. I have nothing but admiration for the late Shafie Bin Jusoh or Pak Shafie as fondly known by locals.

Pak Shafie was awarded the Adiguru Aneka Kraf in 2006 for wau-making skill. At age 10, Pak Shafie paid a close interest in wau-making, observed from wau sifus (subject matter expert). He was able to make a small living with this special skill, later Pak Shafie participated in kite competition in Kelantan and that was the big turning point; he was noticed by foreign tourist in which kick-started his fame. He was interviewed by national medias as well as showcased his artwork in Australia, German, Maldives, Melbourne and Japan by collaborating with MAS (Malaysia Airlines).

This has led me thinking why is there no Wau Museum built/curated by local authorities, I mean after all it is one of Malaysia culture if not treasure. So as you can guess, I jumped with joy upon knowing we will be covering the Wau Museum (one that I have been waiting for, finally termakbul…).

Wau, often decorated in vivid floral patterns, shaped in crescent moon, bigger than the average kite, a wau will rule and roar beautifully up in the sky. The most famous wau known is Wau Bulan, but the truth is, there is few others that shared the same rank such as  Wau Merak (Peacock-kite), Wau Kucing (Cat-kite), Wau Puyuh (Quail-kite), Wau Jalabudi (“Budi” leaf-kite) among others. It is said that Wau Bulan originated from Sriwijaya Kingdom and was used by Prince Dewa Muda, it’s patterns represents the map of the area conquered by the Kingdom.

Wau Bulan, Wau Kucing and Wau Jala Budi has been awarded as our national wau. However, many might not be aware that every state in Malaysia has its own wau represented; Kelantan is being represented by Wau Puyuh, while Selangor is by Wau Kapal and Wau Seri Negeri for Negeri Sembilan. Each states’ wau has its own story in design and motif. Perlis is known for its Wau Helang, Wau Kikik or Kemetek for Melaka and Terengganu, Wau Dodo Helang. Wau Dodo Helang falls under the wau burung or bird design/shape category, and is being fix with dengung (buzz) at the busur (arc tip).

Perak presenting its Wau Seri Bulan, meanwhile Wau Kenyalang for Sarawak and last but not least Kedah it represented by Wau Jalabudi.

And at the Kelantan’s Wau Museum, not only we can learn the type of wau by state and by country, we can also learn how it is being made, the complexity, material being used and many more. The objective is to educate and create awareness to nation’s future generation, local visitors as well as travelers. The museum is small and probably takes you 30mins or slightly more to cover, however the effort in curating and detailing each wau should be applauded.

Operating hours
Saturday – Wednesday : 8:30am to 4:45pm
Thursday : 8:30am to 3:30pm
Friday : Close

Entrance Fee
Adult RM 2 (MyKad), RM 4 (Non-Malaysian)
Child RM 1 (MyKad). RM 2 (Non-Malaysian)
 

The Ihya’ Ramadan Kelantan 2022 Media Fam Trip is organized by Tourism Malaysia Wilayah Timur in partnership with all its sponsors.