Sunday, September 11, 2016

The Last Kite Maker

Sharing this beautiful commercial about Pak Shafie, the last Wau Bulan maker in Malaysia. Pak Shafie has been making Wau for 48 years and to him, each wau is like his family as his heart connects him to every one of his creations. He wants to retire but knows he can't 'cos that would mean the end of the art of Wau Bulan making.
image credit - http://waukite.blogspot.my/

 Wau bulan is an intricately designed Malaysian moon-kite (normally with floral motifs) that is traditionally flown by men in the Malaysian state of Kelantan. It is one of Malaysia's national symbols, some others being the kris and hibiscus. The reverse side of the fifty-cent coin of Malaysia (1989 series) features an intricately decorated wau bulan with a hummer on top.The logo of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) is based on the wau kucing (cat kite).

 There are many types of wau in Malaysia, each with its own specialty. Wau kucing (cat kite) and wau merak (peacock kite) are some of the variants

source : Wikipedia

Pak Shafie had dreamed about being a Wau  and  soaring as high as the Wau he crafts and seeing the world as a Wau would.

The short video below tells Pak Shafie's story.



Pak Shafie at work. Pak means 'uncle' in Malay
image credit - Udey Ismail @ http://blog.udeyismail.net/

 The logo of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) is based on the wau kucing (cat kite).

 Cookies I've been making

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22 comments:

  1. bettySeptember 12, 2016 at 6:45 AM

    That was really neat to watch, Veronica. I liked how modern day technology could help him achieve his dream of seeing what his kite sees when it is flying. It is sad that it is basically a lost art and that no one wants to step up in his shoes so to speak to make kites nowadays. You wonder how special that last kite he makes will be.

    betty

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  2. An Apel a DaySeptember 12, 2016 at 1:55 PM

    I've never seen a kite that shape before. How cool! I love it. We only have the diamond, and box kites here that I've seen.

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  3. Hena TayebSeptember 13, 2016 at 11:52 AM

    wow how interesting

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  4. Jessica| Online ShoppingSeptember 15, 2016 at 5:36 PM

    Amazing Post! Lovely video..lol

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  5. AnonymousSeptember 16, 2016 at 12:03 PM

    This was really interesting. Thanks for sharing

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  6. beautybabyandmeSeptember 17, 2016 at 10:31 PM

    Wow I've not seen anything like that before - super pretty! xx #KCACOLS

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  7. Ann HickmanSeptember 18, 2016 at 8:23 AM

    Wow, that's pretty special isn't it! Lovely thing to share. #KCACOLS (Rainbowsaretoobeautiful)

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  8. Blissful DomesticationSeptember 21, 2016 at 10:52 PM

    They are so pretty and intricate, really interesting to watch. Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope that you come back again Sunday after next x

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  9. mail4roseySeptember 24, 2016 at 3:27 PM

    That was a good question to ask him about the dream. What a shame that no one in the new generation has been found to learn from him and carry on his tradition. That is wonderful that he got to use the technology in such a fun way. :)

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  10. MariaOctober 1, 2016 at 1:14 PM

    Ahh what a beautiful video and seeing Pak's face was just amazing. We recently flew our first kite in the Summer and it was such great fun - all the kids wanted a go and were mesmerised by it. #KCACOLS

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  11. whiteyOctober 14, 2016 at 7:59 AM

    WOW! I got teary watching this what a wonderful heartwarming story!

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  12. NatashaOctober 14, 2016 at 6:47 PM

    Stopping by and looks like you have some great things going here. Looking forward to checking it all out!

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  13. MadeByHindOctober 23, 2016 at 1:52 AM

    Interesting post :-) thank you for visiting my blog. I m a new follower now http://hind-toufga.blogspot.se

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  14. UnknownOctober 25, 2016 at 1:54 AM

    May we display your header on our new site directory? As it is now, the site title (linked back to your home page) is listed, and we think displaying the header will attract more attention. In any event, we hope you will come by and see what is going on at SiteHoundSniffs.com.

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  15. UnknownOctober 26, 2016 at 2:30 AM

    Thank you so very much for giving permission. You can see your linked header under All, Cooking and Malaysia. If you could say something (preferably good) about SiteHoundSniffs.com here and there, I would greatly appreciate it.

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  16. MelanieDecember 8, 2016 at 7:14 AM

    Hi Veronica, checking on you since you haven't posted in a while. Hope everything is OK!

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  17. MaryMarch 12, 2017 at 3:47 PM

    Thank you for stopping by my blog the other day! Nice story. I never realized the kite was a national symbol of Malaysia. The kites are beautiful. I hope one day I can visit Malaysia!

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  18. nerlineMarch 23, 2017 at 3:31 PM

    I love these cookies and decor.

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  19. CourtneyMarch 31, 2017 at 6:24 AM

    These are so fun! You are very crafty...I'll have to give these a try.

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  20. BrennonAugust 14, 2017 at 7:31 AM

    These cookies are adorable! And, thank you so much for stopping by my blog! XOXO, Brennon

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  21. Kristy BullardDecember 15, 2017 at 5:23 AM

    I cannot believe how much work and detail you put into your cookies! They are amazing!

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  22. Wau KiteFebruary 23, 2020 at 6:43 PM

    Nice article. But some facts must be corrected. No doubt that the late Pak Shafie was one of the best traditional kite maker during his time but there are many more before and after him. Traditional kite making is alive in Malaysia. Well, at least I am. The kite pictured above is mine, probably taken from my waukite.blogspot. In Malaysia there is a National Kite Council. There are few major International Kite Competitions and Festivals namely Pasir Gudang International Kite Festival, Kelantan International Kite Festival, Bintulu International Kite Festival organized annually. Traditional kites are competed during these festivals.

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