Ipoh traditional lantern maker wants his creations to stand the test of time
IPOH: Chuen Mun Wai tries his level best to be as meticulous as possible, as one of the last traditional lantern makers.
With nobody expressing their interest to learn and continue with the dying art, he hopes his handiwork will ‘live’ as long as possible.
According to the 45-year-old, if kept properly, a traditional lantern can last a lifetime.
“I have a customer who asked me to help him repair a traditional lantern that has been with his family for a century,” he said.
Speaking to Malay Mail when met at his Jalan Masjid workshop, Chuen said there are basically two types of traditional lanterns – umbrella lanterns and basket lanterns that can be seen hanging at traditional homes and temples.
The traditional lantern, he said, was brought over to the country during the Ming Dynasty when Chinese mariner and explorer Zheng He came to Malacca some 600 years ago.
“Besides being used to illuminate the porch, a traditional lantern is also used by the Peranakan during prayers to their ancestors.”
In the Peranakan culture, traditional lanterns will also be hung during the entire duration of the Lunar New Year.
“Once the celebration ends, the lantern will be covered with a piece of cloth to protect it from dust.
“The lantern is ready for use again in next year’s Chinese New Year after the cloth is removed and minor cleaning is done.”
How to make a lantern
Chuen, who learned the art of making a traditional lantern by observing his sifu in Penang during his teens, said the first task is to cut and whittling down the bamboo that is used to shape the lantern.
“This process takes a lot of patience. In fact many gave up on learning how to make a traditional lantern as they do not have what it takes.
“Normally they would come in the morning and would not return after lunch time,” he explained on why the art is dying slowly due to lack of successors.
Depending on the size, each lantern uses between 18 and 36 pieces of bamboo.
After cutting and whittling down the bamboo, the shaping of the lantern starts with two metal stands forming the base and two ‘wheels’ made from wood to cover the head and bottom to support the bamboo.
“When both processes are done, a piece of cloth is wrapped around the shaped bamboo and starch is used to hold the cloth in place. After this process, gelatin is used to close all gaps on the cloth so that when we colour it, the design will not get distorted.”
Before the completed lantern is sent to the customer, a layer of coating is put on to protect it.
Chuen’s lanterns are sent all over the world apart from catering to local demand.
“Sometimes the cost to send the lantern is even more than the lantern itself,” he chuckled.
He said despite making traditional lanterns for years, he is still learning and improvising the process to make it better.
“To let it have a more local feel, I use the batik technique to draw the designs on the lantern. This also hastens the lantern making process,” he said, while declining to reveal the exact number of days he spends to make one lantern.
“Suffice to say it takes many days,” he said with a smile, adding that making a traditional lantern is a time consuming process.
If you want one of Chuen’s lanterns however, be prepared to wait.
“One year I can make up to 48 lanterns only as the entire process of making a lantern is by hand,” he said.
If you’re keen on Chuen’s lanterns, expect a waiting period of up to two years. And while he is not keen to share the price tag, the lanterns are expected to run into thousands of ringgit due to handcrafted artistry.