Kelantan is home to the Wau Bulan, a huge traditional Malay kite which measures approximately 3 feet by 5 feet and comes in a variety of unique shapes, colors and designs. The kite is called wau bulan or moon kite because the lower sail is shaped like a crescent moon.
The frame of the ‘wau’ should be strong but flexible. A type of bamboo is used for this purpose. The best wau are made from bamboo that has been cured in the sun for at least 2 weeks.
Another feature of the kite is the noise making bow or hummer. Ribbon are used to make a bow.. The pitch can be adjusted by using ribbons of different thickness. The noise makes the kite to come ‘alive’. The bow in the frame allows balance in the kites. There is something mystical about the way a kite defies gravity by swaying and climbing slowly up the sky.
Wau competitions are often held in Kelantan where these traditional giant kites can be seen soaring the blue skies in their own magnificent splendour and beauty. The winner is usually determined by the wau’s ability to fly the highest in the longest span of time. Best times to fly the wau would be in the months between May and July where the East Coast would normally experience strong winds.
The frame of the ‘wau’ should be strong but flexible. A type of bamboo is used for this purpose. The best wau are made from bamboo that has been cured in the sun for at least 2 weeks.
Another feature of the kite is the noise making bow or hummer. Ribbon are used to make a bow.. The pitch can be adjusted by using ribbons of different thickness. The noise makes the kite to come ‘alive’. The bow in the frame allows balance in the kites. There is something mystical about the way a kite defies gravity by swaying and climbing slowly up the sky.
Wau competitions are often held in Kelantan where these traditional giant kites can be seen soaring the blue skies in their own magnificent splendour and beauty. The winner is usually determined by the wau’s ability to fly the highest in the longest span of time. Best times to fly the wau would be in the months between May and July where the East Coast would normally experience strong winds.
