24
2012
Pusat Anyaman Mengkuang, Kg Cherating, Kuantan
Staying in Awana Kijal Golf, Beach and Spa Resort is so much fun. The resort itself is filled with activities to keep you occupied but if you wish to explore out of the resort, you can visit their Fun & Adventure counter and choose the countless activities most suitable for you.
During our 3D/2N stay here, we opt to experience their Kampung Tour (Village Tour). One of the activities included in the Kampung Tour is a visit to Pusat Anyaman Mengkuang in Kuantan.
Pusat Anyaman Mengkuang
Kg Cherating,
Kuantan
The art of leaves weaving has flourished for generations after generations. Items woven from daun pandan are regarded as of superior quality as daun pandan is softer and easily shaped compared to those woven from daun mengkuang, which however, are more lasting. Here we get to see lots of handicrafts made from woven mengkuang leaves.
Before the mengkuang leaves can be used for weaving, it goes through several stages.
Here, we get to see the mengkuang leaves being cut. The thorns are then removed. Next the leaves are measured so that they are all of the same length for easy weaving.
We don’t however get to see the following processes: To soften the leaves, they are passed over a slight fire. Once softened, they are soaked in cold water for about 48 hours to remove any natural elements likely to attract insects to the mats.
But most importantly, we get to try hands-on mengkuang mat weaving. As crafty as I am, I’ve never woven a real mat in my entire life!
I just had to try it! It seems so easy but it is NOT! I don’t know what I was weaving after a while >_<
Then Ethan came to assist me!
Haha… he made it even worse! Bluek :P Finally we undo whatever we have done and look nicely. We managed to get some weaving done correctly after that! Yeay! ^_^
Not only you can learn weaving here, you can also purchase the countless handicrafts made of woven mengkuang leaves at a bargain!
When we got back to our bus parked just in front, I saw this mengkuang plant. It is taller than me!
Now I can proudly declare that I’ve SEEN this and DONE that and in case I fail as a blogger, I can always rely on my knowledge of mengkuang weaving for a living! ^.^
Check out our visit to the Turtle Sanctuary, Cherating which is also part of the Kampung Tour.
Can start a class on mengkuang weaving already :p
Wait until my mengkuang plant grow bigger :D
I enjoyed this when small. Can use colours to form patterns for baskets, bags and so on. Bet Ethan enjoyed the experience… He’s getting bigger by the day.
It’s a very educational vacation this time around. The mengkuang weaving, batik painting, fireflies tour and turtle sanctuary. We’ve never done any of that previously and we got all that right here… Fruitful trip indeed.
wah, the mengkuang leaves have so many torn!
Yeah, have to remove first before it can be used…
So, did you get anything for yourself from this handmade craft product? I saw you guys wearing those cute wording T-shirt.
Haha.. those tee are ice-breakers. It got ppl talking ^_^
Hey.. good to learn and try…good knowledge but I am hopeless when it comes to art and craft.. I think I will skip that and go for photographing instead… :)
A very interesting experience indeed! :-)
Yes indeed. Truly worth going as a family :)
wah anyaman very tedious work huh but indeed a very good experience.
Suddenly I have the crave to learn weaving already!!
We used to weave using paper in primary school!
Hehe I did it when I was std 1….
Hey, I still remember, my late granny used to love doing these.. And she’s good with it.. err, if only I can, maybe, not promising anything, I’ll ‘gift’ U one of them.. ^_^.v.. Ho ho ho..
Aki! Long time no see! I miss U! Sorry for not dropping by your blog lately. Been busy. Will check out your blog soon.
Okay, back to this mengkuang weaving. I guess the older generations are mostly good in this but is now a slowly disappearing art. That is why I was extremely happy to be able to be there, to touch the leaves and weave for real! Worth the visit :D
Now that U’ve said it, I’ll definitely learn this the next time I’m back at kampung.. my auntie was still good in this.. :D.. Ho ho ho..
yeah, miss U too sis.. Me pun baru mula active update balik.. been so busy too.. :D..
didn’t realize my link I post up there were to my old blog.. =_=’
Guess the last time I did this was primary school. Is not easy.
Your post reminds us on our schooling days!