At 73, a Kelantan craftsman is weaving a future for a fading fishing tradition

At 73 years old, Buniamin Abdullah, a craftsman from Kelantan, continues to weave fishing nets by hand, preserving a traditional skill passed down through generations. Known affectionately as 'Abah', Buniamin has been crafting nets since 1987, despite his advancing age and diminished physical abilities. He learned the trade from his parents and now finds solace in the meticulous process of net-making, which requires unwavering patience and precision.

The art of making fishing nets is a generational craft that involves intricate steps, such as determining mesh sizes with a measuring gauge and weaving nylon strands with specialized netting needles. A small net may take around 20 days to complete, while larger nets can require over a month, depending on the mesh size. Fine meshes demand even finer needles, while coarser meshes necessitate larger ones.

While Buniamin acknowledges that the traditional craft is fading among younger generations, he remains hopeful that his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will continue the skill. With nine great-grandchildren and 13 grandchildren, he is proud to see that at least two of his children and several of his grandchildren have mastered the craft. However, he expresses concern that the traditional fishing net-making tradition could disappear if not passed down.

According to Shahrul Hisham Abdul Ra-aid, a senior assistant curator at the Kelantan State Museum Corporation, machine-made fishing nets are mass-produced and sold at lower prices, whereas handmade nets are more expensive due to the extensive labor and time required. He emphasized the need for public awareness and appreciation of these traditional crafts to preserve this valuable heritage.