A SHORTAGE of raw materials for making tempok, a headgear, is becoming a major challenge for the Temiar Orang Asli.
Diana Anjang, 35, a weaver from Kampung Bering Lama in Gua Musang, Kelantan, said she would have to trek for three to four hours through dense forest just to find the layes, cataq, kuar, salak and bekom leaves which are used to make the headgear.
“In the past, they were easily found near the village but are now very hard to find,” she told Bernama.
Processing the leaves is tedious too, taking up to three days for sun-drying and more before tempok production can begin.
According to her, the tempok itself took about two days to finish.
Diana learnt to make it 10 years ago, she said, adding that it has become a source of income for her family of five. She also teaches the craft to two villagers to preserve the tradition.
Each tempok cost RM35 and those with names are RM50.
