Nearly 3,000 years ago the kite was first invented and popularized in China, where materials ideal for kite building were readily available: silk fabric for sail material, fine, high-tensile-strength silk for flying line, and resilient bamboo for a strong, lightweight framework.

But in Malaysia, they called it as a “WAU”. The word ‘Wau’ is believed to have been derived from the Arabic letter ‘Wau’, because the shape of the wing resembles the outline of that particular letter. Many legends and local folklore surrounds the origin and even method of handling the Wau. It is said that in the past, farmers used the Wau as a sort of flying scarecrow to ward off birds from their paddy fields, and the sounds made by the Wau once it was airborne was said to lull their children to sleep which in turn gave the farmers ample time to tend to their crops without any distractions.

1. Wau Kucing (Cat Kite) is a Malaysian Airlines logo.
2. Flying kites can use as many layers of colours as one like, but bearing in mind that the more layers the colour papers are, the heavier the wau becomes.

Wau Bulan (along with Wau Kucing (Cat Kite)and Wau Jalabudi (Women Kite) is now considered as the national kite. As for kelantan, it is Wau Puyuh (Quail Kite) is considered as the state’s kite.

Wau Bulan usually have a 2.5 metres wing span and height measuring up to 3.5 metres (taller than any basketball player). In a windy day, wau bulan can reach a height of more than 450 metres. Malaysian Airline System has chosen it as logo, to symbolize controlled flight.

Wau-making is an ancient art inherited from the Melaka court who popularised the kite-flying sport. The art/skill is usually passed down from father to son. Kite-making requires tremendous skill and patience. First, they use split bamboo to make the frame of the kite. Then they cover the frame with tinted, shiny glazed paper. Intricate floral cutouts and designs are delicately pasted on this paper until the wau is ready for its final decoration of bright paper tassels. A bow-shaped device is attched to the neck of the kite – this will provide a pleasant, high-pitched humming sound when the kite is flown on the sky.

Special attention is given to the choice of colors, as this is one of the areas where the hand of a master becomes apparent. Long before “pointillisme” was discovered in nineteenth century Europe, the Malays used the technique the call “roma”, which is based on the effects caused on the eye b the choice and position of the different colors used. As the colors of the papers used are fixed, the juxtaposition of the colors allows the creation of every individual effect.

Once the main sail has been cut the first colors are pasted onto the back. Then successive cutting and pasting allows the addition of further colors, thereby enhancing the 3D effect of the leaves curling in the wind and the intertwining of the flowers and vines. For flying kites, a maximum of only five thickness of paper at any point are allowed; “wall kites”-which are admired for their beauty and perfection of workmanship and are not subject to the rigors and demands of flight – may have more.

For your information, Kelantan is the home of this giant kites that soar through the air with nary a care in the world. Kite-flying usually takes place after the harvest when farmers have time on their hands to fashion and fly these Wau Bulan..