Villagers trying to keep traditional craft alive

MALACCA: While many would have heard about the traditional meriam buluh (bamboo cannon), few are aware of its lesser-known cousin, the bunga api buluh (bamboo fireworks).

The bamboo fireworks is considered unique to Malacca and is a dying traditional craft practised by only a handful of villagers from Tangga Batu and its surrounding area.

Among them is Che Mah Tahar, 74, who continues to make the fireworks at her home in Kampung Tangga Batu.

“I learned how to make the bamboo fireworks from my father, who had in turn learned the art from the Japanese during the early 1920s,” she said.

She said her husband took over the family business when her father died and the secret of the trade was passed on to her son Nawi Muhammad, 38.

Measuring some 20cm in length and sold between RM15 and RM40 depending on the size, the bamboo fireworks are made from a mixture of fine rubber wood ash, saltpetre, iron filings and sulphur, which are then compacted into the bamboo.

It takes the family between a week or two to produce some 100 of these fireworks, which are usually ordered by word of mouth, for festive occasions especially Malay weddings.

“Besides Malay weddings and festivities, we have also taken orders from our Chinese neighbours for their Chinese New Year celebration and Indians who use them during Thaipusam,” she added.

“However, we try not to take on too many orders as only my son Nawi knows how to pack the mixture properly to ensure that they will burn best.”

She added that making the fireworks was a labour-intensive affair and was risky because there was the danger of accidental explosions.

Nawi lamented that the craft was fast disappearing owing to the lack of interest by others to carry on the trade.

“During my mother’s time, there were several other varieties such as the coconut fireworks and spinning fireworks, which included those that ‘flew’,” he said.

“However, we only make those that ‘shoot out’ streams of sparks,” he added.

Besides his family, he said two others in Tanjung Bidara and Pekan Tangga Batu were also involved in this cottage industry.

Nawi hopes to keep the tradition alive by passing it to his children once they are older.