Challenges on preserving labu sayong knowledge

While researching and interviewing Cik Nor, the Adiguru Kraf, there are mainly 2 challenges that he addressed. Firstly, the lack of public awareness and publicity. The second is the younger generation is not aware of this indigenous knowledge.

Lack of public awareness and publicity. We know that labu sayong is used to store water on a daily basis by the older people in old times. However, in this globalization era, the number of users is decreasing because its functions have been taken over by modern solutions such as refrigerators which can keep any food and drink cool all the time, with the help of electricity. Also, the aesthetic value of traditional pottery now is less appreciated by the public thus resulting in less demand for this product.

Besides that, it is difficult to pass on this traditional knowledge to the younger generation as they are becoming more interested in Western culture. Labu sayong is considered outdated. Not only it considered as outdated, but the thought of its process where it requires high skills has also made youth show disinterest in the knowledge. The process is true, a tedious job. This could jeopardize its continued existence. 

Importance of preserving labu sayong knowledge

These are some of the importance of preserving Malay indigenous knowledge, Labu sayong. This knowledge should be safeguarded as it is very unique and special.

1. TRADITIONAL HERITAGE

It is believed that pottery-production has started by the Malays thousand of years ago. This traditional heritage must be kept alive as it is one of the evidence from the history of Malay civilization. It is irrefutable evidence of the origins of the primal communities referred to as the Malays.

2. NATIONAL IDENTITY

As we all know, a pottery-making was introduced by Tuk Muluk, a “migrant” from Sumatra. This means we should understand that the people of Sumatra, which is Sumatra Malays shared a common identity, ancestry, and ethnicity with the peninsular.

3. REDUCE INVENTION OF PLASTICS

Nowadays, the usage of pottery products has been declining due to the increase of plastics products. We should attract back the society in using the pottery products, such as labu sayong. It can reduce the invention of plastics which is good. 

Designing using ornaments

 There are many types of ornaments used in designing a labu sayong. 

These are common ornaments used onto the surface of a labu sayong. 

They are incorporated from nature include trees and flowers which were only found in Malay states. We should know the invention of pottery by the Malays was very basic with quite simple ornamentation. 

Labu Sayong 101: Process on making it.

 In this post, we will be discussing on the process of making labu sayong.

The process is divided into 5 main processes which are: settling down the soil, moulding, shaping & designing, drying and lastly, baking.

Settling down process.

A very fine clay soil taken along the riverbanks is left under the sun for days, and then pounded into extremely fine powder. After so, the powder is mixed with water and then kept into a sealed container for few days. The mixture is then carefully kneaded and wedged to remove all water bubbles. This is to avoid the pot to break when exposed to intense heat. Indeed, it is a tedious process.

Nowadays, the clay soil is mixed with sodium and water to produce a batter.

Moulding

The batter or mixture is then poured into the mould. After that, let it set aside for 3 hours or so depending on the weather. The pot is then removed from the mould and turn upside down to dry.

 Shaping & Designing

The interesting process is shaping and designing. It simply done on a board wheel by a highly skilled craftman. The motif / ornaments either being decorated by hand or simply stamped onto the surface of the clay. Some common ornaments are bunga padi, bunga tanjung and so many more.

Drying & Baking

The pots are then dried in the sun for 3 days or so to harden the surface. It will also increase its durability.

Usually in the old days, the pots then are fired in open trenches fill with some firewood, coconut husks, dry rambutan trees until they are red hot. After that, they are immediately removed and placed on a pile of paddy husk or saw dust for 20 minutes to impart the black sheen. The base of the pot is brushed with liquid resin or wax to render it waterproof.

In this new generation, the pots now are baked in a machine at a temperature of 1000 centigrade for 10 hours or so..depending on the size.

reference: http://leisuretoursmalaysia.blogspot.com/2011/05/educational-tour-of-labu-sayong-cottage.html