Pok Non upholds art of making wau

KANGAR,  Jan 24  –  Most people are familiar with the ‘wau bulan’ but few would know the name Samad Man, a doyen in the art of making traditional kites.

At 73, Samad, more popularly known as Pak Non, is no stranger to the art of making the wau, and in 2018, was awarded the title of Adiguru Kraf Wau (master craftsman of wau-making).

His creations have been placed in Istana Arau, Perlis and Istana Johor, and used as a symbol of the national airline company.

His work has also been exhibited overseas such as the World Sports Cultural Festival in Busan, Korea in 2008, and the Expo 2010 in Shanghai, China.

At the TAFISA World Sport for All Games held in Korea in 2008, he was also awarded a diploma in recognition of his work which became a source of reference for local and foreign tertiary institutions.

Born in Kampung Tok Kaya, Kuala Perlis, Pak Non learnt the art of making wau from  Kelantanese master Yusof Omar about 40 years ago in Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan.

“Ever since I was a boy, the wau has always been a part of my life, for as long as I am healthy and I can see, I will continue to make wau because it is not just about personal satisfaction but also my responsibility,” he told Bernama recently.

To Pak Non, the quality of a wau depends on the type of bamboo used, and his preference is the ‘buluh duri’ (a type of bamboo) which is more durable and flexible.

“In Kelantan, the ‘wau’ makers like to use ‘buluh betung’ but I prefer ‘buluh duri’ which is easily available here (Perlis),” he said as his skilled hands played with a bamboo stem.

He said the process of making wau begins with selecting a good bamboo stem which must be cut and then soaked in water for three to four days before it is put out to dry in the sun.

“Bamboo used to make wau for competitions must be soaked in salt water for a year, and dried to make it lighter and more flexible,” he said, balancing a stem on his finger to show its balance.

According to Pak Non, a good wau is one which is balanced on its spine and body.

“The beauty of a wau is much like that of a car...a good car must not only look good but it must have good ‘pick-up’ (speed). So too the wau which must not only be good to look at but can fly well, its spine and body supple enough to make it dance in the sky,” he said, as his fingers deftly played with a cotton thread to tie bamboo stems to the spine of a wau.

A father of five and grandfather of 10, Pak Non said he takes about two weeks to a month to make a wau, depending on its type and size, as well as the decorations on it.

“I take one day to make an ordinary wau, but one which has carvings will take more time,” he said, as he held up a ‘wau bulan’ he had made.

Pak Non said the wau bulan was one of the three types of wau popular in Malaysia, with the other two being the ‘wau kucing’ and the ‘wau jala budi’ which is also called ‘wau Malaysia’.

“The ‘wau lang’ which is the pride of Perlis, was designed based on the beauty of the eagle,” he said, adding that of late, interest in the wau has been revived among the people of Perlis as more wau competitions are held during the east wind months of December to March.

--BERNAMA