Sarong Fabric Gives New Twist To ‘Bunga Telur’, A Traditional Malay Wedding Favour

By Noornasrin Salsabila Othman

KOTA BHARU, Oct 5 (Bernama) -- From sarong fabric once synonymous with the grace of Malay women, emerges a handcrafted art that breathes new life into the ‘bunga telur’, as the traditional Malay wedding favour, adorned in classic motifs, blooms again in modern weddings.

Behind every carefully folded petal is homemaker Anis Aiza Shaari, 33, who weaves sustenance and love from pieces of sarong fabric. Her creations are more than just decorations; they are reflections of heritage and a woman’s perseverance.

The captivating blend of classic and modern has left Anis Aiza flooded with orders for sarong-themed bunga telur, now a popular choice among bridal couples.

A graduate of Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) in Business Administration, she began crafting traditional-style bunga telur using sarong two years ago to earn additional income from home.

“The idea of creating sarong-themed bunga telur came about when my sister-in-law, Aima Najwa Abdul Rahim, 26, was looking for classic-themed bunga telur to distribute to guests at her wedding in July 2023.

“When we couldn’t find the design, I decided to make my own to fulfil her wish on her special day,” she told Bernama recently at her home in Kampung Wakaf Stan, here.

The mother of four said with no experience or formal guidance, she relied solely on TikTok tutorials to learn the basic techniques of making bunga telur using sarong fabric.

“At that time, most bunga telur were made with songket fabric. I wanted to introduce something different with the sarong fabric. It is softer and closer to our hearts. The result also looks more classic and soulful,” she said.

Anis Aiza said crafting the bunga telur requires precision and patience, as each piece of fabric must be carefully cut, glued, and arranged one by one to ensure a neat and harmonious finish.

“The first step is to create the base frame. Then, the sarong is cut into the shape of flowers such as lilies, daisies or peonies. Each fabric pattern gives a different character, making every bloom unique.

“One by one, I glue the fabric pieces and arrange them into a beautiful bouquet of bunga telur. In a day, I can complete around 100 pieces, with help from my sisters-in-law, Nurul Atiqah Abdul Rahim and Aima Najwa,” she said.

What began as a sincere gesture to prepare wedding favours for a family celebration has since become a daily routine and a steady source of income.

“I started receiving orders after posting pictures of the bunga telur I made for my sister-in-law on my TikTok account, cameeeleo. I never expected so many people would be interested,” she also said.

Customers can choose bunga telur made from sarong or songket, priced between RM4.50 and RM10.50 depending on the material. Bridal hand bouquets sell for between RM100 and RM150 each.

Today, Anis Aiza’s delicate handiwork is sought after not only across Peninsular Malaysia but also in Sabah, Sarawak, Singapore and Brunei, proving the enduring appeal of traditional art.

“For me, every completed bunga telur carries a prayer, love, and a piece of my heart within it,” she added.

-- BERNAMA