Wau Bulan Is A Symbol Of The Unique Heritage | Nur Syamilah Yusof

NAME : NUR SYAMILAH BINTI

YUSOF
CLASS : LWP01C

Wau
Malaysian
of the oldest
culture.
a wau or kite
produces
sounds when
are somethin
defies
slowly up the

WAU
BULAN
IS A
SYMBOL
OF THE
UNIQUE
HERITAG
E

Bulan is an intricately designed

moon-kite. Known as 'wau', it is one
traditional
games in
the Malay
Dancing
in the
azure
sky,
is accompanied by a hummer, which
various
buzzing
and purring
soaring upon the wind. There
g mystical about the way this kite
gravity by swaying and climbing
sky.

It is
normally decorated with floral
motifs
and
traditionally flown by men in the
Malaysian
state of Kelantan. It's one of
Malaysia's
national symbols,
along some
others being the
Kris and hibiscus. There are many type of Wau (kite) in
Malaysia, each with its own speciality. Some of them are :

Wau
Wau
Wau
Wau
Wau

Jala Budi
: Takes on the curves of a women
Kuching
:
Barat
Burung Puyuh : The barred busted quail kite
Bulan
: Moon kite, named for its crescent like tail shape

However, Wau Bulan is unique to the east coast state of Kelantan and
the giant flying kites are often as big as a man, measuring about 3.5 meters
from head to tail. It is the largest kite around and is capable of soaring to
great heights. Not surprisingly, kite-flying here is a sport for men, as some
kites require at least two grown up men to handle. Most of the patterns are
based on local flora and fauna like birds, animals and flowers. It is usually
fitted with a stringed bow, which emits a soft, wailing sound when flown.
Each kite is lavishly pasted with colourful designs and a work of art. Kites are
flown throughout the year but especially after the full moon harvest. Indeed,
so remarkable is the Wau Bulan that the national carrier, the Malaysian
Airline System, has chosen it as its logo, symbolizing controlled flight.

Wau Bulan Is A Symbol Of The Unique Heritage | Nur Syamilah Yusof

Annually in Kelantan, kite flying activity is organized by the respective
authority at national and international level.
It takes about 2 days to 2 weeks of skill and patience to make a wau.
The frame is made from bamboo stems, which are split into thin strips. The
best species of bamboo for making kites is the thorn bamboo, which is strong
yet flexible. Each frame of a kite must have a head, a spine, a waist, a
wing and a tail. After the frame is constructed, designs are traced on a
tinted and shiny glazed paper and then carefully cut out and pasted on paper
which is glued to the bamboo frame. The humming bow is attached to the
head of the kite, which is finally decorated with tassels at the tail to produce
the 'song' of the kite.
Each wau is designed according to its own set of elaborate motifs,
adhering to the traditional style of artwork expected of each design.
All designs must have a central flower called the ibu from which vines, leaves
and flowers sprout. The vine symbolises the path of a man's life and
theflowers, the women. The more meandering the vines, the more twists and
turns in a man's life mean the more interesting is the person's life. In older
kites, flowers were depicted from the side and back, analogous to the shy
and reserved nature of women in those days, who never looked at you
directly in the face. Nowadays, flowers are depicted from the front. The
middle sections on the left and right sides of the wings are left devoid of
patterns to provide balance with the decorated areas. This empty area is
called "golden deer", and prevents the kite from being overwhelmed by a
surfeit of patterns.
Apart from the patterns, choice of colours is also important in
determining quality. Colours that clash or show
strong
contrast
are
frowned
upon.
Complementing or harmonious colours reflect on
the emotional state of the kite-maker. Soft colours
such as shades of blues and purples indicate that
the kite-maker has a serene nature.

Wau Bulan Is A Symbol Of The Unique Heritage | Nur Syamilah Yusof