LABU SAYONG, NOW AND

THEN

MUHAMMAD HAZMAN BIN ABDUL MALIK

2005480941
FOR : En. MAZLAN ABDUL MAJID

Kuala Kangsar, the heart of Labu

Sayong.
Kuala Kangsar, Perak is a very attractive place to visit. Also known as Bandar
Diraja. Kuala Kangsar offer many attractive place like Masjid Ubudiah, Sultan
Azlan Shahs Gallery, Muzium Diraja Perak, Kampung Sayong, and many more.
Kuala Kangsar offer a green landscape around the city.
Welcome to Kuala
Kangsar. The
entrance reveal its
main symbol
which is labu
sayong.

The statue offer a great

scenery at night.

Other attractions
Masjid Ubudiah, one of the main heritage of
Kuala Kangsar. With its unique and beautiful
design

Istana Diraja Perak, with its traditional

architecture reflects the culture of
Kuala kangsar.

Jambatan Sultan Abdul Jalil Shah also

known as Jambatan Sayong connect
Sayong and Kuala Kangsar. Before it was
built, the people has to cross the river or
use another bridge which is quite far.

At night, the bridge is lighted which

create a dramatical view which
make it one of tourist destination.

The scenery of the city from the bridge.

About Labu Sayong

Labu Sayong got its name from its gourd-shaped body and Sayong is the place
where it was produced. There are four types of ceramic product of Kuala Kangsar
which is Labu Sayong, Belanga and Buyung.
Labu Sayong
The Labu Sayong of Perak is the most
famous. Made of clay, it is shaped like a
gourd and used for containing water. Other
similar items produced are the labu tela,
labu kepala, labu gelugor tela and labu
gelugor kepala. After these pots have been
shaped and semi dried, they are smoothed
with pebbles and decorated by engraving.
When fully dried, they are fired in a
furnace and removed. While still hot, they
are covered with dried paddy husks to
impart a black sheen.

The Belanga
Characterised by a round base and a
wide rim, it is often used to cook
curries. It is believed that the heat is
distributed more evenly as its base is
round.. Smaller than the belanga is the
reddish brown periok which is often
used to cook rice.

Buyung
The buyung is typified by a bulbous body and a
straight neck. Usually quite big, it functions as a
water container.

The traditional technique of making

Labu Sayong
Preparing the
soil the soil
is filtered to
separate the
soil and the
small stone.
The filtered
soil is stirred
to make it
pack and to
release
trapped air.

Shaping The
clay is shaped by
pinching with
finger. The base is
pinched and
placed on a plate.
Then, the plate is
spin with hand
while other hand
do the shaping.
The process
continued until
the shape is
complete.

When the shape

is complete, its
being polished
with stone (batu
luru) to create a
clean and slick
surface. The
pattern of
motives is
applied by
stamping the
pattern onto the
half-dried
product. Then,
it is ready for
burning process.

When everything is
ready, the pot is
heated into the
oven. Before direct
heat is applied, the
pot is arranged
upside down and
exposed to low
heat fueled by
dried coconut and
wodd dust. Then, it
is placed into the
oven(custom built).
Once the burning
process completed,
the hot pot is put
into Sekam to
create a black
colored pot. The
heat in the pot will
burn the sekam
and absorb its ash.
Damar is applied at
the bottom of the
pot to avoid the
water from running
out.

The Snake Kiln

Other than custommade oven, The snake
kiln is used to for mass
production. Its a
gigantic oven fueled
with dry woods.
However, the process
took about 4 to 5 days.

An inside view of snake

kiln. This is where the
pots are arranged for the
burning process.

The door of the kiln is

sealed with bricks
Snake kiln is no longer used even for
mass production because the times take
is too long and it require a lot of wood.

The modern process.

The modern process of making Labu Sayong is still the
same like traditional. But, most of the preparation process
is done by machine.
Blinger, to combine soil and
sand.

Then, the medium is added

with water and stirred.

The clay is then compacted to

extract the water out. The
clay is now ready for shaping
procees.

Since it is for mass production, basic

shaping is done by molding technique.
Molding saves time because it
can be done massively.

The mold is made from

plaster

The pot is then trimmed with

rolling wheel to create a
smoother and solid surface.

There are two methods in creating the

motives on the pot which is stamping
and carving.

The precarved wood is

stamped on the surface of the
pot to create a pattern.

The pattern is carved with

carving tool to form a
pattern on the pot.

The kiln (oven) is fueled with gas. The

burning process took 4-5 hours until the
temperature reached 900 degree
celcius.

The heated pot is put into sekam to

create a black coloure pot.

Sekam padi

There are 2 types of finishing which

is a traditional blackening technique
and a shining veneered finishing.

The black colour is absorbed deep

into the ceramic.

The new machine that can

produce a single product in
only one hour. The new kiln
burn the pot and put it into
sekam automatically which
complete the product.

Instructor Rizal shows how the new

machine functioned.

The machine is
designed by the Pusat
Kraftangan Perak itself.

Pusat Kraftangan Malaysia, Perak

Kraftangan Malaysia, Perak situated in Jalan Ipoh offer
many information on local handicraft especially in
ceramic industry. The center provides workshop,
gallery, showroom and mini museum which stored
original handmade piece of artwork. This place is one of
the supplier of ceramic product and clay to used in
school or workshop. Kraftangan Malaysia hold as one of
main tourist attraction in Kuala Kangsar.

Kraftangan Malaysia,
Perak is one of the
place for R&D in
ceramic industry

The Showroom

The showroom displays

most of the high-end
products with high quality
and perfect finishing.

The Museum
This is where all the original work which is made traditionally.
All these item are kept in a good care.

Kampung Sayong.
For every visitor who comes to Kuala Kangsar, visiting Kampung Sayong is a must.
This is the heart of Labu Sayong where its origin. This is where Labu Sayong and
other ceramic products were made and sold. Along the road, the workshop and retail
store can be seen everywhere. Kampung Sayong is situated in developing suburban
area. Most of the locale owns a small workshop with modern machine. In Sayong, the
price of Labu sayong is cheaper than in town.

Many signboards showing the

manufacturer and retail store.

Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sayong. With a big

statue of Labu Sayong as a symbol to their state.

The Function Of labu Sayong

The main fuction of Labu Sayong is
to store water. The pot will absorb
the heat making the water cool even
at hot climate.

The time changes as the world spin. The usage of labu sayong is now comes with
variety. Other than storing water, labu sayong is also used as a gift from certain
events like wedding. It is used as remembrance. As people getting creative, its being
modified. Labu sayong is converted into lamp.

Three are various design of

table lamps which designed
by locales.

Labu sayong is redesigned

into various shape of pots.

Labu Sayong as heritage of Kuala

Kangsar.
The statue and sculpture of labu sayong can be seen
everywhere especially around the city and recreational park.

The large statue of labu sayong in the

city. At night, the statue gives a
fascinating view

A sculpture at the roundabout

in the middle of the city.

A very big fountain of labu sayong. Situated in Sultan

Azlan Shahs Gallery.

A sculpture of Labu
Sayong around
Kuala Kangsar.

Pusat Kraftangan Kepala Batas,

Kedah
Pusat kraftangan kepala batas is one of the center
that provide information on Labu sayong. The center is like
a branch of Kampung Sayong which manufacture and sell
labu sayong in the northern area. This prove that labu
sayong has a high demand in the market.
The center is more on developing and redesign labu
sayong to fit modern lifestyle.

These are the design made by local

craftsmen of Kepala Batas Handicraft
Center. Most of the products made is as
ornamental items like table lamp.

Pusat Kraftangan kepala batas did not emphasize on

traditional labu sayong but more on ceramic ware shadowed
by labu sayong. It gives the idea on how the influence of
labu sayong has effect the contemporary design.

A traditional house-shaped pot which is used as table lamp. It can be lighted with electric bulb
or scented candle.

A ceramic ware designed by local artist and

influenced by nature.

A ceramic ornament used in beautifying the landscape

around the handicraft center at Kepala Batas.

In Kepala Batas, I found that the center try to promote

labu sayong in different. They try to attract labu sayong by
presenting it in aesthetic way rather than to introduce it from
its originality since most of the craftsmen are in a category of
new generation like graduated students.
Other institute that play role on introducing labu
sayong are like school, university and arts organization.

As a conclusion in my point of view, labu sayong has survived the

wind of change which means it is still not being forgotten and
even appreciated by new generations. Even though its
environment has evolved, labu sayong still maintain its originality.
the imprints is always there, nothing were really forgotten

THE END

Greetings form Kuala Kangsar