Handcrafted for the Gods: Inside a Dragon Joss Stick Factory (VIDEO)

Deep within a small village in Kubang Semang, a skilled craftsman named Ong Chin Chye has been crafting towering dragon joss sticks for over four decades. Each joss stick can range from two feet to an impressive 20 feet in height, and the creation process is a meticulous and time-consuming task. The owner of Hock Chye Heong Joss Stick Factory and Workshop explains that each stick requires at least four layers of paste, with each layer taking a month to dry before adding the next.

To speed up the process, Ong employs modern techniques such as airbrushing to add details to the dragon heads.

The dragon heads themselves are carved by another worker, who uses both carving tools and airbrushes to add intricate details. It takes about a week for the carved dragon heads to dry fully. Ong Chin Chye emphasizes the importance of producing eco-friendly joss sticks, as well as scented ones for those who prefer them. The factory produces around 2,000 joss sticks per batch, with a total of 50 different designs, including those featuring pineapples, the Eight Immortals, and the Black and Green Impermanence deities.

Special demand for eco-friendly joss sticks arises during festive seasons such as Chinese New Year, Hungry Ghost Festival, and Nine Emperor Gods Festival, where bulk orders account for up to 10,000 orders. Ong supplies joss sticks to various retailers and temples across Malaysia, including in Taiping, Ipoh, Kedah, Perlis, Negeri Sembilan, Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Sabah, and Sarawak. The company even ships joss sticks to Bangkok, Thailand.

Despite the physical demands and long working hours, Ong Chin Chye remains dedicated to preserving this cultural heritage. He welcomes tour groups and school visits to showcase the craftsmanship involved in creating dragon joss sticks and hopes to inspire the younger generation to appreciate and continue this tradition.