Southeast Asian Crafts & Accessories

Southeast Asian Crafts, Accessories, and Everyday Objects

• Southeast Asia includes countries like Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, Philippines, Cambodia, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.
• A Thai Flying Sky Lantern is used for festivals, particularly the Yi Peng Festival.
• Wish Lanterns (or Sky Lanterns) are made of rice paper with a bamboo frame containing a fuel cell or small candle.

Thai Flying Sky Lantern

• Used for festivals, including the Yi Peng Festival.

Wish Lanterns or Sky Lanterns

• Made of rice paper with a bamboo frame holding a fuel cell or small candle.

Malaysian Wau Kite

• Kite wings resemble the Arabic letter "wow".
• Traditionally used as scarecrows in farmers' fields.
• The Pasir Gudang World Kite Festival is a popular tourist attraction.

Fire Types of Wau Kites

• Wau Bulan (Moon Kite): Malaysia's national symbol, featured on the reverse side of the Malaysian 50-cent coin in 1989.
• Wau Jala Budi (Woman Kite): "Jala" means "net", referring to the tail structure.
• Wau Kuching (Cat Kite): Resembles a sitting cat when viewed from the back.
• Wau Barat (Leaf Kite): Designed to fly in lighter winds than other kite types.
• Wau Merak (Peacock Kite): Distinguished by its tail, compared to kites with a lower sail, originating in Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Handicrafts of Cambodia and Laos

• Cambodian handicrafts are sometimes referred to as "highlander" crafts.
• Common Cambodian folk art involves natural papermaking, often using mulberry tree bark.
• The bark is used for calligraphy and decorative items like festive temple decorations, parasols, fans, and kites.

Silk Painting in Vietnam

• Tranh Lua, a French-influenced silk painting, is a popular form of art in Vietnam.
• The colors in the paintings and on the canvas harmoniously represent nature.

Indonesian Wayang Kulit

• Wayang means "to show" or "to perform".
• Kulit means "skin", referring to the leather used for the figures.
• The figures are carved out of leather and used in shadow puppet shows.
• Stories from Hindu-Buddhist tradition are portrayed in shadow play.
• Elements include the puppeteer ("Dalang") and the shadow figures.
• The gunungan (mountain or forest) is placed at the center of the stage to separate the characters (just or unjust) before the play begins.

The Songkok Brunei

• Also known as peci or kopiah.
• A widely worn cap in Southeast Asian countries.
• Traditionally worn by Muslim men in formal gatherings.

Types of Songkok

• Dastar: A cloth tied around the head.
• Songkok Kopiah: A velvet cap.
• Tengkolok (Serban): Similar to a turban and a traditional headdress in West Asia.

Assignment

• Students are required to create their own Brunei-inspired songkok.
• The deadline is Monday, November 11, 2024, by 6 PM.

Explore the fascinating crafts and everyday objects from Southeast Asia, including unique items like Thai Flying Sky Lanterns and Malaysian Wau Kites. Discover their cultural significance and how they are used during festivals and events. This quiz will test your knowledge of these exquisite creations and their origins.