SOME encounters start with a simple greeting and an added dash of curiosity. A recent meeting with the Chong family during a work assignment in the old district of Melaka is the result of just that.
After a jovial discussion with a store assistant in Jalan Kampung Pantai on the surviving workshops and unique local crafts, the writer was navigated to where locals would buy handmade lanterns. They were preparing for the Mid-Autumn Festival observed widely by the community there.
It was two weeks before the celebration at the time. The array of colourful cellophane paper lanterns were already displayed out front. They hung above the common goods that you would find in your neighbourhood kedai runcit, ready to be sold.
The store assistant mentioned while giving out directions to “just walk along Jalan Tokong, you won’t miss the shop”.
As we went through the collection of animal-shaped lanterns, a carefree figure came out from the back of the shop to entertain us. It was the lantern maker who we were looking for.
Festivities uplifted through a generational spirit
“The celebration this year is definitely more muted than ever,” said Chong Swee Ching.
“Before the pandemic, you would see people walking with the lanterns along the street a week or two leading up to the Mid-Autumn Festival. You can even see small parties being held in celebration.
“Being online has helped me keep businesses afloat, otherwise things would have been different. It has been good, in a way. When people are not able to find work, we have work, at least,” shared the lantern maker.
Swee Ching carried on the tradition by learning the art from his parents, starting from when he was in his primary school days.
“I have always loved making handmade things, mostly anything to do with crafts, since I was a little boy. Just name it and I will do it.
“Back then, my father would do it all by himself and it would take at least one day to make about 10 lanterns (at most),” said the 63-year-old.
“Today, it is more of a delegated process where I would start by making the frame. Then my wife will take over by pasting the cellophane paper to it. And later one of my children will help with the painting and bring the lanterns to life with the drawings.
“We have the designs where the drawings are stamped but it does not give a nice finish, and would usually be sold for a lesser price.
“Together we could make up to 30 pieces, but we still maintain a small amount. We don’t necessarily want to create in bulk since it is all handmade and would take time,” he added.
Not long after, another more elderly gentleman came to join us from the back of the shop. Swee Ching introduced him as his 93-year old father who found our conversation exciting.
“I have been involved in lantern art personally for about 80 years. But all the lanterns that you see here today are made by the young ones,” shared Chong Chin Wah.
“I was trained by my father, and later on I passed the knowledge to my son, and then him sharing to his children. So you can say, it has been four generations in total.
“My father did tell me that my grandfather was also a lantern maker before the migration to Malaya. But it is something that I did not see with my own eyes so I dare not say more,” he said.
“Anyway, since I have passed the responsibility to my son, I feel OK. I am just at the back (of the shop) reading newspapers now. I am 93 years old, not that young – so what else have I got to do?
“If I am able to live one day after the other, I am grateful,” he added.
Despite his claims, Chin Wah did not look typically frail and could get around without the aid of a walking stick. He passionately attributed this to his days playing gasing (spinning top).
“I grew up in a kampung where I would train and play with all of the village boys and compete in tournaments. Those were the good old days, having to learn from all the well-known gasing gurus.
“Now, all of them are no longer around, my friends, siblings. I am the only one left. I do miss them now and then but I have my family here today keeping me healthy,” noted the elderly man.
“While my father was a gasing champion, I found an interest in playing layang-layang (kite flying) and was a champion in the sport myself,” said Swee Ching.
“This is also why I loved making things from scratch. So, aside from making the lanterns for fun, I do make layang-layang as well, but it is only seen as a hobby.
“Lantern making is not my main trade, but I kept the tradition going because we like doing it together as a family so much. My real business is running the grocery shop that you see here today and home repairs as well as maintenance,” he added.
Based on the existing license, the father and son shared that the shop has been operating in the street for the same amount of time that Chin Wah started working there as a young boy (earning scraps about 80 years ago).
Back then he was helping out his brother, who was the owner of the business. They noted that if they were to factor in during the Japanese ruling period, the shop could be about a century old.
“I have witnessed the British, Japanese and up until the home that we call Malaysia today – three masters. A lot has changed but it’s good that some things remain,” said Chin Wah.
“My kids today have their individual pursuits and I don’t necessarily stop them from it. It is just that Covid has delayed a few plans. I suppose if my children are OK with me handing the tradition over, I would also be at the back of the shop,” added Swee Ching. – The Vibes, September 21, 2021
