The crazy LJD group !!!
The trip to Malaysia, Layang-layang Museum was a great and memorable experience for me. Layang-layang museum was located at the Pasir Gudang Recreational Park, Bukit Layang-layang is the official site for the annual Pasir Gudang International Kite Festival hundreds and thousands of visitors and kite enthusiasts from all over the world.
Pasir Gudang Kite Museum is the first of its king in Malaysia. It is built as an appreciation towards the contribution of the Malaysian and the International kite flyers. Opening it's door for the first tme in February 2002 during the 7th Pasir Gudang Kite Festival.
Housing a collection of more than 200 kites which once roam the skies of Bukit ayang-layag as well as hundreds of the traditional kite heritage of Malaysian known as wau. It also houses a collection of Ceramic Vases.
Museum's information floor by floor :
1st floor :
- International kite museum
- International kite exhibition
- International kite festival cronologly
- Souvenir festival
- Audio visual
2nd floor :
- Traditional wau history
- Traditional part of wau
- Malaysia history of wau
- Wau of terminology
- Materials of wau
- Materials to making wau
- Equipment to fly
- Workshop to promote wau
- Johor craft souvenir
- Traditional wau
- Information
In Malaysia, another definition for "Layang-layang" is "wau". Much was said about origi of the word "wau", while most reliable is that it derives from Thai vocabulary which means kites.
"Wau" enthusiasts however suggest that the word "wau" originated from the sound derived from the "hammer" of the kite when in flight, forming sound of "wau,wau,wau" in rythmic pattern.
The main features of the "Wau" are mailnly characterised by its head, wing and tail section.
There are three types of Malaysian traditional wau namely Wau Bulan, Wau Kucing and Wau JalaBudi. Apart from this three mentioned, there are other types of wau proclaimed for a few of the penisular Malaysian states.
Wau Bulan is said to be originated from the Sri Wijaya Empire. It symbolises the reunification of the empire by Dewa Muda. The Design of Wau Bulan as depicted by Dewa Muda was conceptualised based on the form of their forefathers, a saint or a reknowned ancient figure deemed as the father of all cultures.
Wau Bulan consist of three different sections comprising the head and neck which represent the uppe section of the wau, the chest and the waist represent the middle section of the wau whereas the hand and feet relate to the bottom section of the wau.
Wau Kucing is identified more for its synonymous existence with Malaysian Airlines System(MAS). The airline corparate logo based on Wau Kucing, which is said to have originated from Kelantan when it was first introduced in 1967.
The designs of Wau Kucing resembles the cat and is most apparent when seen from the back, beginning with the head, body and tail. The specialty of Way Kucing is its 'hummer' releasing a screeching, high pitched sound, similar to the sound made by cats.
The 'hummer' is also use to frighten away evil spirits and to forecast the following day's weather. The floral and plant motif of the 'sobek' carving on Wau Kucing are decorated in the same way with other traditional Malay wau which is incorporated the flower and plants motifs.
The name Wau Jala Budi is derived from a leaf found in Kedah called the 'budi' leaf. The tail of the wau is similar to the 'budi' leaf and the word 'java' (net) refers to the structure of the tail of the Wau Jala Budi. However, the basic shape and designs is inspired by the shape of a woman;s body. it is view from the back whereas the women is extended followed by the body, towards the waist and the bottom.
When flown, the kite produces a medium buzzing drone emitted from the 'hummer' located at the head of the kite. Wau Jala Budi is also similar in appearance to the 'Chula kite' originated from Thailand.
Wau Merak is believed to have originated from Sulawesi. Indonesia and is flown mainly by the Bugis people. It is mainly flown by them after the paddy harvesting season.
The design of the Wau Merak assimilates the characteristics of a peacock, normally this wau consist of a 'balong' (Crest of a fowl) like a peacock and the length of the tail is four times the size of its body. The tail is made of wool thread.
The specialty of Wau Merak is its 'hummer' it is able to produce seven different melodies or sounds. This is possible as the wau is originally played at night.