Compiled by FAZLEENA AZIZ, C. ARUNO and R. ARAVINTHAN
FOR the past five years, teacher Rozali Abdul Rani, 53, or better known as Pak Wea of Temerloh, Pahang, has been gaining a reputation for his carved, decorated buffalo skulls, Sinar Harian reported.
He graduated to this art form after more than two decades of making tetuang, a traditional wind instrument carved out of buffalo horn.
The skull of a bull is a symbol of pride and strength to its owners, who mostly collect antiques and carvings, he said.
“This skull is not only art, but also a cultural symbol and historical artefact. For people in Sabah and several parts of Malaysia, buffaloes are a symbol of bravery, luxury and strength.
“They are often used as wedding gifts and as a status symbol in society.
“In the past, buffaloes were used to plough rice fields, pull logs and transport crops,” said Pak Wea, who also heads the Eastern Zone Training Centre for Teachers in-service.
He said the skull of a male buffalo is used because of its strength and curve, while the horns of the balau (albino) buffalo are the most expensive and difficult to obtain, with prices reaching thousands of ringgit.
“We do not use chemicals when carving and dealing with the foul smell is the main challenge.
“But once the skull is dry, the stench disappears,” said Pak Wea.
The price of an ornamental skull, which is usually hung on walls, can reach up to RM450, depending on its uniqueness, size and age.
The skulls are obtained after sacrifices and feasts, and from slaughtering centres.
The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a, it denotes a separate news item.
