'Kikik' making popular at JIS

Roslan Mohamed (L) and his son demonstrating how to put together the frame of the 'kikik' during the workshop held at Jerudong International School (JIS) Arts Centre yesterday. Picture: Courtesy of JIS

BY DIYANA IBRAHIM

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN - WORKSHOPS are platforms to ensure the traditional craft of kite-making or "kikik" does not disappear, said a local craftsman yesterday at Jerudong International School (JIS).

Roslan Mohamed, from Kampung Sungai Kebun, conducted his second workshop on the traditional craft at the international school yesterday for 64 Year Six students. Held as part of their Art Studies topic titled "Brunei", the workshop provided a fun and exciting opportunity for the students to learn the kikikmaking skill.

They were then given the chance to craft their own kikik with the help of their teachers, Roslan and his four sons after a demonstration.

In an interview with The Brunei Times, Roslan said that he conducted the kikik-making workshop to ensure that "our Bruneian tradition will not be forgotten and will be passed on from generation to generation".

"We often conduct this workshop in schools and alhamdulillah, so far, responses have been quite encouraging," he said, explaining that this was his second time holding the workshop in JIS.

He said, despite the declining number of locals skilled in kikik-making, interest in playing kikik is still strong in the country. "In Kampong Ayer, people still play kites during the school holidays and public holidays," he said.

"We also have kikik-flying competitions at least thrice a year," he added, "where one kampung would compete against other kampungs."

Tracey Purkis, an Art teacher from JIS commented that given the success of the previous kikik-makingworkshop at the school, they have increased the number of participants to encompass more than one classroom.

"The students have been practising tying their knots last week in preparation for this workshop," she added, where they tied together two bamboo sticks to make up the frame or skeleton of the kikik.

"I can see that they are enjoying themselves," she said during the workshop. "They are excited about making their own kikik and if we have the time (which they didn't), they will get the chance to go outside and fly their own kikik."

The one-day workshop was held yesterday at the JIS Arts Centre.

-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times