The Wau (Kite) Museum of Kelantan is located at Pantai Sri Tujoh, in the Tumpat district of Kelantan. Sitting very close to Pantai Sri Tujoh (another famous beach in Kelantan), it is about 25km from the centre of Kota Bharu.
This small museum displays a variety of wau, or kite, designs from across Malaysia, especially those that originate from Kelantan. The wau is highly treasured as a traditional Kelantanese pastime. “Wau” translates into English as “kite”. You may find that others also refer to the wau as “layang-layang” in Malay. The wau (specifically the Wau Kucing, or Cat Kite) is even used as the logo for Malaysia’s national airline, MAS. Most professional wau makers come from the East Coast states of Malaysia.
@Andrew Tan
The Wau Museum of Kelantan was established by the Kelantan State Museum Corporation to preserve the traditional art and culture of the wau in Kelantan. There are also instructions on how to make your own wau and how to fly it.
In addition, the museum is also home to various kinds of wau from around the world. It serves as an information and reference centre for anyone interested in the kites of the world. Reference books and raw materials (bamboo, paper, thread, and so on) for making wau can be found at this museum.
Several famous wau are displayed at this museum, with regional design variations:
- Wau Bulan, Wau Kucing, Wau Jala Budi - Malaysia’s national kites
- Wau Kenyalang - Sarawak
- Wau Helang - Perlis
- Wau Dodo Helang - Terengganu
- Wau Kangkang - Kedah
- Wau Seri Bulan - Perak
- Wau Kapal - Selangor
- Wau Kikik - Melaka
- Wau Sri Negeri - Negeri Sembilan
- Wau Merak - Johor
- Wau Cenderawasih - Pahang
- Wau Puyuh - Kelantan
@zali99
There are also other kites from other countries such as Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, and so on displayed here. Most of the kites are hung decoratively on the walls and ceilings. In one section, kites are placed on the museum floor, where you can sit comfortably and feel for yourself the touch of such delicate and beautiful artistry. Wherever you look, it is as though you are enveloped in wau.
If you are lucky, there is also another section that hosts a workshop for wau. You can find wau sketches, wau frames, bamboo sticks, paper, dyes and brushes, and so on, all on display and actually used when there are wau-making demonstrations.
It was a wise decision by the Kelantan state government to establish this museum, which was in fact proposed by the Kelantan State Kite Flyers Association in 2009. Initially Pantai Irama, Bachok was chosen as the museum site, but it was later relocated to its current location at Pantai Sri Tujoh, which is closer to the site of the annual International Kite Festival at Pantai Geting. This event is usually held at the end of May each year (in 2017, it was held on 24 August 2017), with participants from Germany, Japan, and elsewhere taking part.
We hope that in future, more kite festivals will be run at this wau museum. This culture is so important to pass on to future generations so that it is not lost to time.
@Titan T
The Wau Museum of Kelantan was officially opened on 8 June 2011. For kite enthusiasts, this is certainly a must-visit place. It is well worth combining your trip to the famous Pantai Sri Tujoh beach with the Wau Museum of Kelantan in your itinerary. Learn more about this unique traditional handicraft, appreciate the traditional art and culture, and hopefully our future generations will still be able to touch a physical wau.
An entrance fee as low as RM 2 is charged for adults before they can enter this museum. Children, meanwhile, only need to pay RM 1. Visitors can join the wau-making workshop by enquiry or appointment only.
After visiting this wau museum, you can relax at the nearby beach. There are also local vendors offering items such as nipah crab, coconut ice cream, and so on.
This wau museum is one of the places we at Salaam Suites recommend to our guests. Not only does this place highlight the interesting culture and features of Kelantan, but it also introduces the wau culture of every state and even of the wider world.
Wau Museum
Pantai Sri Tujoh, 16200, Tumpat, Kelantan
09-748 2266
