TUCKED away in a corner of Kampung Kepala Bendang, Sayong, here, is Kz Kraf Enterprise, which has gained prominence for its labu sayong, a traditional pumpkin-shaped water vessel.
The labu sayong is an icon in Perak. Used to store drinking waters during the old days, it has become more of a souvenir and decorative item with the passing of time.
Kz Kraf owner Mohd Pareb Zamari, 41, inherited the family business from his late father, Zamari @ Zamri Pandak Ahmad, a renowned labu sayong maker. Zamari was appointed by Malaysia Handicraft Development Corp as a guru for 19 years before retiring in 2002.
Pareb, the second among four siblings, is a fifth-generation shop owner who is carrying on the tradition of pottery-making. Helping him at the workshop is his wife, Rafizah A’ilyan Abd Razak, 39, from Jitra, Kedah.
Pareb’s clientele include royalty, international pottery enthusiasts and government agencies.
Apart from continuing the legacy of the family business that has been around for 200 years, Pareb is on a mission to restore the glory days of his village.
“Back then, it was like a fiesta. Scores of tourists came to the village to see how the labu sayong was made. I take this as a challenge to bring back the good old days.
“According to my late grandparents, the village was once the state administrative centre before the palace moved to Istana Iskandariah in Bukit Chandan,” he said at the Kembara Media Perak 2019 programme recently.
Leading the entourage was Information Department deputy director (media and corporate communication division) Radziah Mohd Sharif.
Pareb said the most expensive labu sayong produced by his family was sold for RM4,000.
He said there were about 80 labu sayong and ceramic business owners in the village.
Kz Kraf also provides training for students who are keen on pottery-making.
“Many students choose to do their internship here as everything, including the raw materials, is available.
“They learn where to get raw materials and the processes involved in making labu sayong, which may not be fully taught at their training institutes,” said Pareb, a father of two.
He said Kz Kraf could produce up to 4,000 labu sayong a month.
Pareb had learnt the art of porcelain-making in Arita, Japan through a sponsored programme in 2004.
The history of Arita porcelain dates back about 400 years.
Like his father, Pareb’s works are recognised by Malaysia Handicraft and he is often invited to trade fairs and exhibitions worldwide. He had participated in exhibitions in Japan, the United States, France, Germany and China.