Kelantan kitemaker keeps a soaring tradition alive

Kitemaker Norazizi Mustapha is dedicated to preserving the ancient art of traditional kite-making in Kelantan, Malaysia. The 45-year-old craftsman spends years honing his skills, learning to select and dry bamboo, shape frames, secure bindings, and add decorative elements to his kites. There are 15 types of traditional kites Norazizi can make, including the wau bulan, wau kucing, wau puyuh, jala budi, and peacock kite.

His latest creations for the upcoming Merdeka Mega Kite Competition are giant moon and cat kites, each measuring 3.4m to 3.6m long and adorned with Malaysian colors.

Norazizi's passion for kites began in his school days, inspired by a friend's father who made traditional designs. His first attempt at a moon kite was unsuccessful, but he persevered, spending a year mastering the craft and perfecting the balance between rigidity and flexibility. The most challenging aspect is forming the frame; it must be strong enough to withstand the wind but not too rigid.

Launching a mega kite requires a team effort, with at least eight people needed - four to lift and release the kite and four to manage the line and keep it stable. This combination of skill, timing, and teamwork drew Norazizi further into the tradition when mega kite competitions gained popularity about five years ago. Each giant kite is a labor of teamwork and an effort to keep Kelantan's traditional craft alive.

Norazizi hopes younger Malaysians will take an interest in both watching these kites and learning how they are made, appreciating the beauty of both the patient work of shaping bamboo and the final flight of the kite.