Design motif in traditional Tok Su’s House in Kedah / Khairul Azhar Azmi

• Main Author: Khairul Azhar, Azmi
• Format: Thesis
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: NX Arts in general
• Online Access: http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/8470/3/All.pdf; http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/8470/7/azhar.pdf; http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/8470/
• Institution: Universiti Malaya

Malaysia is a unique multi-racial community with many kinds of cultures and traditions. One of its traditional arts is kerawang, which is the Malay ornamental pattern. The kerawang is a motif design that was based on the mixture of local floral motifs and Islamic vegetal patterns. A motif means the arrangement of flower which symbolizes the characteristic of perfect ability and knowledge to be composed orderly in characteristic such mixed with the local custom, attractive appearance and others. The motifs of the kerawang must be studied and recorded so that it can be preserved and shared. This research is one of the methods to spread awareness of the importance and the beauty of the motif design. The objective of this research is to identify motifs of woodcarving embedded at Tok Su’s house and to examine the origins of seven (7) motif that are found at Tok Su’s house. This research focuses on design motifs that still exist in Tok Su’s house. Scope of work for planning projects included in-depth historic research, investigation, evaluation and assessment of the motifs. Most of the motifs in Tok Su’s house are well preserved and can be perceived clearly. The primary data will be collected through several discussions with the craftsmen, local authorities and academician. After the data has been collected the motif, patterns, and philosophy of the motif will be documented. This research is set out to enhance the community not only preserving our cultural heritage but to clarify and enrich the nation’s collective memory as well.