Traditional
Malay Wau
Bulan
Manual by Nuha Amgad Mohamed
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Development of Wau Bulan (Moon kite)
3. Materials Used for WauBulan
4. History and Origin Details
5. How It Is Played
6. Modification of The Wau Bulan for
Children of New Generation
7. Conclusion/ Benefits of creativity
Refrences
Introduction
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C
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"The interaction among aptitude, process and
environment by which an individual or group
produces a perceptible product that is both novel
and useful as defined within a social context."
(Gregerson, Kaufman, & Snyder, H. T. (2013).
In this 21st century where everything is in the reach of one click on any digital
device, children are more distracted and over stimulated than ever, this increases
the risk of dependency and relying on easy or readymade solutions.
Throughout history, innovation and creativity helped humanity evolve in every
aspect in life therefore educators should provide appropriate space, time as well as
plan activities that would help nurture creativity in children and link their
productive outcome to benefiting society.
According to Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Theory, a child’s cultural and
chronological context will influence the child’s learning and development (Slavin,
2014), therefore part of creativity’s benefits is to remodel traditional items in a
modern style without losing its uniqueness and cultural identity.
Purtee (2016), has developed a ‘Design Process Thinking’ aligned with the
‘Bloom Taxonomy’ to implement creative lesson plans in her classroom. The
process consists of four steps
The following Manual explains how to reconstruct an educational project with a
traditional Malay toy/game called the Wau Bulan (Moon kite) in a creative way
following Purtee’s ‘Design Process Thinking’ steps (2016), which would help
children link their history with modern ideas.
Development of Wau Bulan (Moon kite)
A Wau Bulan is not an ordinary it is a Malay art that focuses on aesthetic design
and cultural. Traditionally the Wau Bulan manufacturing process is expensive
and lengthy, a Wau Bulan artist can sit for days to complete one. The materials
used to construct the kite are from the finest bamboo called Buluh Duri, which
can be found only in Kelantan and the 3 layer paper is decorated with beautiful
cultural illustrations called ‘Motifs’ (Hamudin, 2016).The Motifs are symbols
that connect the kite to the human soul for example the motif like ‘awanlarat”,
this motif symbolizes a slow and smooth hand dancing as well as continuity of
human’s life (HamidahBinti Abdul Rahmanet al., 2016).
Wau Bulan is huge in structure with a height of 2 meters and width of 1.80
meters therefore is requires two people to fly it, one would be the kite-runner
and the other handles the kite’s string (Hamudin, 2016). Because of the huge
structure and exceptional materials, the Wau Bulan is not designed to be played
for young children and unfortunately has become a dying tradition. However
smaller versions have been used as decorative souvenirs and as small art-crafts
(Yen, 2019). It was a source of traditional inspiration as the Malaysian Airways
‘s logo embodies it and it is mentioned in folktales or drawn in art-works such
as the one printed on the ‘Satu Ringgit’(Hamudin, 2016).
Materials to make Wau Bulan
Kraft paper
Scissors &cutting knife
4 Rotan (thin bamboo sticks)
Masking tape and glue
Markers, paints, and brushes
Colourful ribbon& string
Procedure to make Wau Bulan
A) Wau Bulan cover paper design
1. Draw the WauBulan shape
on the Kraft paper
2.Cut the Wau Bulan shape
then glue the pieces together
3. Draw creative designs and
paint them together with
students
Procedure to make Wau Bulan
B) Makaing the Wau Bulan Frame
4. Place one rotan stick as the spine of
the kite, then at a length of 10 cm, attach
one rotan stick to the spine to make a
cross and tie it firmly with string
5. Attach another rotan stick on the spine
within a space of 25 cm and tie it firmly
with string
6. Tie the end of the first rotan stick to
the end of the second rotan stick to form
the right wing, do the same on the left
side wing in the end it will make a
horizontal parentheses shape
7. At the end of the spine attach the last
rotan stick on the spine and tie it firmly
with string
Procedure to make Wau Bulan
8. Bend the ends of the last rotan stick
slightly and ties it with string to the
wings on each side to make a crescent
shape tail
9. Place the kite cover paper on the
frame using masking tape
10. The final product Wau Bulan
Optionally You can decorate it with
colorful ribbons at the end of each wing
History and Origin of Wau Bulan (Moon kite)
The word ‘Wau’ is believed to have been derived from
the Arabic letter ‘Wau’, because the shape of the wing
resembles the outline of that particular letter. Many
legends and local folklore surrounds the origin and even
method of handling the “Wau Bulan” the name takes
after the shape of the moon because the tail of this Wau
is resembles that of a crescent. The origin of the “Wau
Bulan” is said to have been during the days of the Sri
Wijaya Empire, where according to legend, a young
prince named Dewa Muda utilised the usage of the Wau
by mapping out the districts that he had conquered on
the Wau itself, which he will then display to his people.
It is said that he would first go deep into a cave to
meditate and experience spiritual premonitions before
setting off to war. When he is ready to leave the cave,
he usually emerges with a wire frame of what was
believed to be the wire frame of a “Wau Bulan”.
The fine patterns of flowers and leaves were
said to have symbolised the districts that he
had successfully conquered. Therefore,
every time he returns from battle, the
flowers and leaf patterns on his Wau will
continue to ‘grow’, symbolising the
strength of his empire; much to the pride
and delight of his people. Nowadays, the
Wau Bulan is mostly present in northern
parts of the Malaysian peninsula such as
Kelantan. It is also presented in events such
as the International Kite Festival held in
Johor is one of the many celebrated efforts
that should serve as an eye-opener to the
young, thus instilling love to our treasured
heritage.
How to Play Wau Bulan
Traditionally the "Wau" is played by
two people, therefore one child will
be the runner who will hold the
"Wau" and run against the wind.
Another child called an interpreter
who holds the string bridge. When
the wind blows, the rope will be
pulled against the wind currents and
balanced to an extend until the
"Wau" is high in the air. After that
both children can take turns in
flying the kite (Hamudin, 2016).
Children playing with smaller
versions of Wau Bulan
Modification of The Wau Bulan
for Children of New Generation
Although the Wau Bulan may not be appropriate for young children recreating and
modifying a child-friendly version is possible. Using Purtee’s (2016) ‘Design
Process Thinking’ model for teaching creativity, educators can use simple kite
materials and make a small and attractive Wau Bulan for their students as an
educational project and apply the steps of inspiration, design, creation, reflection
and presentation. For children aged 5-6 years old, educators can make Wau Bulan
as a group project, where children will make a small version of the Wau Buan kite
and learn about science, history, measurements, architecture and folk tales as well.
The final product can be a kite which educators can make a small event for kite
flying in the school yard. However younger children below 4 years old can be
introduced to make decorations inspired by the Wau Bulan, an idea similar to paper
planes. To make it easier for young children, the educator can cut out a Wau Bulan
cartoon model, and have children do collage work on the kite’s wings to teach them
creativity. The end product can be used for decoration as well as a mini-toy that
children will try to throw in the air and pretend flying a Wau Bulan kite. The
importance of modifying the Wau Bulan is so that this beautiful tradition could be
revived and preserved from disappearing in the following new generations
(Hamudin, 2016).).
Conclusion: Benefits of creativity
Joseph Chilton Pearce said: “To live a creative life we must first lose the fear of
being wrong.”(Brown, 2012). In early childhood programs this is essential for
children to thrive in a creative setting where they are provided an appropriate
space to explore their creativity to gain the self-efficacy so that they feel they can
add their unique print in the world. Yet surprisingly many educators can be biased
against creativity because educators may find it disruptive, risk taking, impulsivity
and independence according to Gabora (2017). However, with proper guidance and
scaffolding, the process of making this ‘Wau Bulan’ project will benefit children in
many developmental areas, thus their cognitive and creative skills will be enhanced
while they think critically how to make measureents of the kite and problem
solving by learning what materials are strong yet light that would enable the kite to
fly. This project can enhance their aesthetic sense and appreciation for beauty
while they design their kites in artistic colors and forms of expression. Children
can benefit socially as they learn how to work as a team, they can brainstorm
their ideas, learn how to negotiate and organize their roles among themselves.
Flying the kite will enhance children’s large motor skills as they would run
outdoors and stretch their bodies. Last but not least, according to Andrews
(2011), flying a kite can help children spiritually to become mindful, while
they keep watching the colourful kite movements in the sky, as children will be
present at the moment, surrounded by nature (HamidahBinti Abdul
Rahmanet al., 2016).
References
Andrews, L. W. (2011). Kite Flying for Health and Happiness. Retrieved from
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/minding-the-body/201104/kite-flying-healthand-happiness
Brown, T. (2012). "To live a creative life we must first lose the fear of being wrong.".
Retrieved from https://tbrownonline.wordpress.com/2012/11/08/to-live-a-creative-life-wemust-first-lose-the-fear-of-being-wrong/
Farah. (1970, January 1). Facts And History Of Art WauBulan (The Art Of WauBulan).
Retrieved from http://the-art-of-wau-bulan.blogspot.com/2009/09/facts-and-history-ofart-wau-bulan-art.html
Gabora, L. (2019, June 3). What creativity really is - and why schools need it. Retrieved from
https://theconversation.com/what-creativity-really-is-and-why-schools-need-it-81889
Gregerson, M. B., Kaufman, J. C., & Snyder, H. T. (2013).Teaching Creatively and Teaching
Creativity. New York, NY: Springer New York.
HamidahBinti Abdul Rahman (et al.) (2016).The Art of Making WauBulanShafieJusoh. Faculty
of Creative Technology and Heritage, Malaysia Universiti Kelantan, Malaysia.
Hamudin, N. (2016). The 'wau' factor.New Straits Times. Retrieved from
https://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/11/186324/wau-factor
Othman, N. (n.d.). Wau Bulan Is A Symbol Of The Unique Heritage. Retrieved from
https://www.academia.edu/25309593/Wau_Bulan_Is_A_Symbol_Of_The_Unique_Heritage
Sinclair, L. (2016). How to Decorate a Wau Kite | FeltMagnet. Retrieved from
https://feltmagnet.com/crafts/how-to-decorate-a-wau-kite
Slavin, R. E. (2018). Educational psychology: theory and practice. NY, NY: Pearson.
Purtee , M. (2016). Teaching Skills for the 21st Century: Creativity.Retrieved from
https://theartofeducation.edu/2016/04/20/teaching-skills-21st-century-creativity/
Yen, F. (2019). Kid's Craft Ideas: National Craft Day 2019. Retrieved from
http://www.kiddy123.com/article/kids-craft-ideas-national-craft-day-2019.html?lang,en