TRADITIONAL craftsmen often lament how theirs’ is a dying trade, with most youngsters unwilling to spend time to master the necessary skills nor the passion to perfect them.
But some youths in Johor have taken up the challenge to continue their families’ work by embracing and putting their own spin on capal making, batik printing and rattan weaving.
Eager shoemaker
Exposure to capal craftsmanship from a young age has led a 21-year-old to make the unconventional decision to pursue the trade of making traditional Malay sandals.
While his friends are pursuing their tertiary studies in engineering and other professional courses, Arif Syahmi Mohd Shahril decided to enter the traditional footwear business to help keep the craft alive.
The young man from Bakri, Muar, said he picked up the art of making capal from his father who is a cobbler.
“My father, who is very familiar with shoe designs after working as a cobbler from age 17, taught himself how to make capal in 2000 as a way of upgrading his skills.
“My mother assisted him in his capal-making business and as I was exposed to the process since young, the interest came naturally to me.
“I was also inspired by my father’s determination and decided to pursue this line of work.
“I believe I am one of the youngest capal makers in the country presently, as such labour-intensive trade is not popular among my generation.
“I hope to continue my father’s legacy,” he told StarMetro when met at the National Craft Festival 2022 that is currently taking place in Johor Baru.
Arif Syahmi, who went into business a couple of years ago, said his business model differed from his father’s as he concentrated on online sales and digital marketing to promote his footwear.
He does not mind what others say about him being a shoemaker at a young age, “as everyone’s strength lies in different areas”.
Helped by his 16-year-old brother Ariq Shafy after school, and two other employees, Arif Syahmi hopes to gradually take over his father’s business so that his parents can rest after providing for the family for so many years.
He gets extremely busy in the run-up to Hari Raya Aidilfitri as handmade footwear is popular among those wanting to add a traditional touch to complete their festive attire.
“The sandals are gaining popularity among the younger crowd who tend to pair them with casualwear instead of just for wedding functions and other formal gatherings,” he noted.
“Making capal is a tedious process because all the raw materials must be prepared separately, which can take weeks,” he said.
After this, the layers are assembled and sewn together to produce the finished product.
“It is not always smooth sailing. Once, I received orders for about 300 pairs for Hari Raya and I only had one month to produce them,” Arif Syahmi recalled.
“It was very tough as I had no machinery back then and everything was handmade, but with my father’s advice and assistance, I managed to fulfil the order so it was a valuable learning curve for me,” he added.
A pair of handmade capal retails from RM139 and can go up to RM799 for one made from full leather.
The young footwear maker said his parents used to sell 2,000 to 3,000 pairs for the festive period in pre-Covid-19 times.
Arif Syahmi aims to expand his business after receiving a RM30,000 grant from the Veterinary Services Department (DVS) to set up a workshop and buy machines from the Kraftangan Malaysia Johor branch in Larkin, Johor Baru.
He is eligible for the grant due to his usage of leather, which falls under DVS’ purview.
Creating batik identity
Another youngster heavily involved in his family’s handicraft business is 19-year-old Muhammad Faris Mohd Razak, who helps his mother Rafidah Ahmad produce Johor-themed batik textiles and clothes in Larkin.
“My four younger siblings and I each play different roles throughout the batik-making process.
“I handle the stamping process and ensure the batik motif is consistent throughout the entire length of the fabric,” said Faris.
According to him, the batik stamping method – which uses carefully-cut copper strips – differs from the canting technique which allows the maker to draw the patterns with a free hand.
Rafidah, 46, who has been in the batik business for a decade, said she was happy that all of her children were involved in the family trade as they provided a fresh take in terms of fabric colours and design ideas.
She started producing Johor batik about three years ago under the encouragement of the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation’s Johor branch.
She explained that Johor batik takes after the state’s identity in its motifs such as black pepper, gambus (traditional Malay musical instrument) and pineapples.
“Previously, when we mention batik, people usually think of the east coast states and we wanted to create a batik identity for Johor.
“As a start, our batik patterns are simple with one or two colours and once more people recognise it, we plan to expand to more designs and fabrics in future,” she said, adding that her customers came from all walks of life.
Weaving a new future
Meanwhile, second-generation rattan weaver Norfutiha Salimen, 34, said that she never planned on entering the world of crafts after graduating with a degree in radiology.
“Growing up in Pontian, I learned rattan weaving from my mother but did not think that I would go into this line of work.
“However, after graduating and working in a hospital for a month, I realised that my calling was actually in rattan weaving as it is where I feel at ease,” she said.
The Johor Baru-based mother-of-two, who has always had a penchant for crafts, also took up songket weaving several years ago to expand her skill set.
Since her mother had no one to take over her business, Norfutiha decided to take on the challenge three years ago.
She has since expanded their catalogue to include more modern pieces such as keychains, handbags and hand sanitiser bottle holders.
“I started learning rattan weaving when I was four years old, so I have given my two young daughters a head start too, in hopes that they develop an interest and one day inherit the business from us.
“There are only a handful of rattan weavers left in the country.
“Besides being a tough line of work, raw materials are expensive and workers are hard to find.
“I hope more youths explore this trade.
“I am more than willing to teach anyone who is interested, so that our heritage and skills are not lost to time,” said Norfutiha, who has an outlet selling her wares at the Johor Craft Complex in Larkin, Johor Baru.
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