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Mengkuang (screwpine leaves) or pandanus weaving is one
of the traditional arts still very much alive and its products are still
in demand.
 Mengkuang
(Pandanus odoratissimus), is a huge pandan-like plant that grows along
the back mangroves and also found in the local jungles. The fruits can
be eaten, and leaves may be used to weaving
Weaving used to be a leisurely pastime of coastal village women in the
east coast states of Peninsular Malaysia during the rainy months. Today,
it is a thriving cottage industry. The tall, thorny leaves of the pandanus or
mengkuang are collected, boiled, dyed and made into colourful
gift boxes, mats, beach bags, hats, fans, purses, and slippers
 Mengkuang
weaving usually practiced by womenfolk in the rural kampung areas. The
process requires patience, skill and dedication.
The leaves after having stripped of its thorns, are first are split into
long strands, soaked and dried in the sun. Once dried, it is boiled and
dyed with vegetable colours.
It is then woven according to the required designs.
The design of motifs or kelarai is usually based on plant,
flora and fauna and even animals
 Looking
at the material and shape of the woven products, initially the craft is
created with emphasis is on usage more than anything else. As skills
developed, this concept has changed, especially the art of weaving mats,
where several types of kelarai are made into decorative pieces.
Skill is needed to make kelarai and the experts in this art have
begun to realize the concept of beauty and aesthetics. Kelarai or
ragi are named and shaped after flowers, bamboo as well as other
rural elements or pursuits
The numerous items made are both unique and eye-catching.
Being decorative as well as useful, the items are excellent purchase be
it for self or as gifts for weddings, souvenirs and ornamental hand-outs
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