WAU BULAN THE GIANT KITE

          In Malaysia, there are many types of Wau. Among many types of it, there are some types of kites which has being lifted as National Traditional Wau. One of them is Wau Bulan.

Various pattern of Wau Bulan

Man is lifting Wau Bulan

          There are more than 20 different varieties of wau, but the wau bulan is the most common. It is known as the “moon kite” for its curved, crescent moon shape. This kite usually has a 2.5 metres wing span and height measuring up to 3.5 metres from head to tail. It is like a giant flying kites and as big as a man. It is the largest kite around and is capable of soaring to great heights. Not surprisingly, kite-flying here is a sport for men as some kites require at least two grown up men to handle. 

          
         In a windy day, a wau bulan can reach a height of more than 450 metres. Wau bulan is popular in competitions and are made from bamboo and paper. For a winning kite, a special bamboo, pokok buloh duri, is used. Most of the patterns are based on local flora and fauna like birds, animals and flowers.