‘TANJAK’ BACK IN STYLE
Wearing it during Raya reflects culture and tradition of Malays, says Osman
THE tanjak is a popular traditional Malay headgear for men. It helps to add elegance and grace to the wearer.
The fancy-looking tanjak is also a hit during the Hari Raya festive season.
Tanjak maker Osman Abd Rahman, or fondly known as Tok Tulis Perak, has his hands full meeting requests from clients that he had to close orders on the second day of Ramadan.
According to him, making the tanjak is both meticulous and hard work. It also involves folding, ironing, and sewing.
“Wearing tanjak on Hari Raya is like wearing a songkok, but it gives a different look and feel. In fact, it can relive the identity of the Malay culture and tradition,” said the 36-year-old.
“The trend of wearing the tanjak during Hari Raya is picking up, which I feel is quite extraordinary.
“I have received 400 orders compared with 120 last year.
“There are people who asked if I was still accepting orders, but I had to say no. I can only handle 10 tanjaks a day. Quality is everything,” said the father of two, when
met at his home at Pulau Misa Melayu in Kampung Teluk Kepayang, Bota Kiri here.
For Hari Raya, Osman does two types of tanjak: “ayam patah kepak” and “balong raja” for the traditional look, and “keriasi”, for a modern feel with traditional details.
“The material that I use is kain songket and cotton, but the most sought after is black-colour keriasi from cotton material.
“It offers variation but at the same time maintains the traditional details,” he added.
Osman said the cotton tanjak was priced between RM70 and RM100, while for the songket tanjak went for between RM100 and RM180.
“Tanjak is suitable to wear with the traditional baju Melayu. Making the tanjak was born out of passion and an inspiration to preserve the Malay identity, as well as to change the perception among the younger generation that wearing tanjak is oldfashioned,” he added.