BOTA: 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 fulfilling requests from clients that he had to close orders on the second day of Ramadan.
According to him, making the tanjak is hard and meticulous work, involving 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 getting more popular these days, which I feel is quite ‘extraordinary’. This year alone, I have received a total of 400 orders compared to 120 last year.
“There are still people who asked if I am still accepting order, but I said 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 that 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 as it offers variation but at the same time maintaining the traditional details,” he added.
Osman said the tanjak-cotton is priced between RM70 and RM100, while for tanjak-songket, the price is between RM100 and RM180.
“Tanjak is suitable to wear with the traditional baju Melayu. Making the tanjak was born out of passion and inspiration to preserve the Malay identity, as well as to change the perception among the younger generation that wearing tanjak is old-fashioned,” he added.