Traditional Malay wood-carvers a rare breed

Traditional Malay wood-carvers a rare breed

JOHOR BARU: The traditional Malay woodcarving is one of the country's most priceless heritage that dates way back into the country's history.

Its intricate motifs today still grace palaces, gazebos, pergolas and traditional Malay houses, and does not fail to impress all who view it.

Those skilled in traditional Malay woodcarving have to undergo a process as intricate and tedious as its designs as well, making them a rare breed of artisans.

One of them is Mohd Nor Zaini, 35, whose passion for woodcarving has led him to learn the trade and set up his own business in Batu Pahat, Johor.

He first entered the field in 2000, by enrolling for an 18-month course in a Wood-based Furniture Industry at the Mara Training Institute.

After that, he worked for eight months with a company making private yachts using Burmese teak, before pursuing his studies in the Art of Woodcarving for three years.

Mohd Nor then worked on improving his skills by taking on jobs at carpentry workshops around Muar. He used the money he made to buy woodcarving machines.

"Besides carpentry stints at the workshops, I also took on odd jobs until I could raise enough money to start my own business at the end of 2006," he told Bernama, who met him while on a media tour with Kraftangan Malaysia to Johor.

He said the first machine he bought was a router. He then added on a jointer, planer, a sawing machine and a lathe.

Read more here:
Traditional Malay wood-carvers a rare breed