PASIR GUDANG KITE MUSEUM

Pasir Gudang Kite Museum or Muzium Layang-Layang Pasir Gudang is the first of it’s kind in Malaysia. It was built as an appreciation towards the contribution of Malaysian and International kite flyers. Opening it’s door for the first time in February 2002 during the 7th Pasir Gudang Kite Festival, it houses a collection of more than 200 kites which once roam the skies of Bukit Layang-Layang as well as hundreds of the traditional kite heritage of Malaysia known as Wau. In Malaysia, another definition for "Layang-layang" is "Wau". Much was said about origin of the word "wau", while most reliable is that it derives from Thai vocabulary which means kites. "Wau" enthusiasts however suggest that the word "Wau" originated from the sound derived from the "hammer" of the kite when in flight, forming sound of "wau,wau,wau" in rythmic pattern.The main features of the "Wau" are mainly characterised by its head, wing and tail sections.The different types of traditional Wau in Malaysia in is Wau Bulan, Wau Kucing and Wau JalaBudi. Apart from this three mentioned, there are other types of wau proclaimed for a few of the penisular Malaysia states ;


State ------Official Wau
Kelantan --Wau Puyuh
Melaka ----Wau Kikik
Pahang ----Wau Pungguk
Perak -----Wau Seri Bulan
Perlis -----Wau Helang
Pulau Pinang -Wau Kotak
Selangor ------Wau Kapal
Terengganu ---Wau Dodo Helang
Negeri Sembilan -Wau Seri Negeri
Kedah ------------Wau Kangkang


Wau Bulan is originated from the Sri Wijaya Empire. It symbolises the reunification of the empire by Dewa Muda. The Design of Wau Bulan as depicted by Dewa Muda was conceptualized based on the form of their forefathers, a saint or a renowned ancient figure deemed as the father of all cultures. Wau Bulan consist of three different sections comprising the head and neck which represent the upper section of the wau, the chest and waist representing the middle section of the wau whereas the hand and feet relate to the bottom section of the wau.
Wau Kucing is identified more for its synonymous existence with Malaysian Airlines System (MAS). The airline corporate logo based on Wau Kucing, which is said to have originated from Kelantan when it was first introduced in 1967.The design of Wau Kucing resembles the cat and is most apparent when seen from the back, beginning with the head, body and tail. The specialty of Wau Kucing is its ‘hummer’ releasing a screeching, high-pitched sound, similar to the sound made by cats. The ‘hummer’ is also used to frighten away evil spirits and to forecast the following day’s weather. The floral and plant motifs of the ‘sobek’ carving on Wau Kucing are decorated in the same way with other traditional Malay wau which incorporated the flower and plants motifs.


Wau Jala Budi is derived from a leaf found in Kedah called the ‘budi’ leaf. The tail of the wau is similar to the ‘budi’ leaf and the word ‘jala’ (net) refers to the structure of the tail of the Wau Jala Budi. However, the basic shape and design is inspired by the shape of a woman’s body. It is viewed from the back where the hands of the women is extended followed by the body, towards the waist and the bottom. When flown, the kite produces a medium buzzing drone emitted from the ‘hummer’ located at the head of the kite. Wau Jala Budi is also similar in appearance to the ‘Chula Kite’ originated from Thailand.

Wau Merak is believed to have originated from Sulawesi, Indonesia and is flown mainly by the Bugis people. It is mainly flown by them after the paddy harvesting season. The design of Wau Merak assimilates the characteristic of a peacock, normally this wau consist of a ‘balong’ (Crest of a fowl) like a peacock and the length of the tail is four times the size of its body. The tail is made of wool thread. The specialty of Wau Merak is its hummer, it is able to produce seven different melodies or sounds. This is possible as the wau is originally played at night.