Date:	Mon, 12 Sep 1994 17:23:36 -1000
From:	RODGER@ray.uct.ac.za (Rodger Duffett)
Message-Id: <MAILQUEUE-101.940912222336.837@ray.uct.ac.za>
Organization: Division of Applied Sciences, Harvard University
Subject: Pesta Wau Antarabangsa

Hi All

Well nope your editor isn't scrambling the title! It stands for 
(literally) Festival Kite International!

I have just had the priviledge of being at the Malaysian 
Airlines International Kite festival in Kuantan, Malaysia. This 
was a first for me in many respects - first time out of my 
homeland, first kite festival, first meeting of fellow rec.kiter 
etc

The festival had many of the ingredients that have been so well 
described previously. Great single line kites, stunt kite 
competition etc It also had a traditional Malaysian kite section 
which was really fascinating.

The Malaysians make four basic kite shapes all based on an 
elliptical bamboo framed main portion. Take two equal length, thin bamboo 
laths, lay them side by side and fix the two ends together. Now 
shorten the distance between the ends allowing the bamboo laths 
to bow away from each other - keep them in the same plane! Cover 
with _intricate_ beautifull coloured applique and you have the 
main section of a WAU.

The four basic Wau's are distinguished by their shape in 
addition to this ellipse:
Wau Boolan - Moon kite - has a crescent moon portion  which makes it 
reminiscent of a roller.
Wau Bodi (Jalu Bodi) - Womens Body kite - has a curvaceous lower 
portion which I am told is reminiscent of the curvaceous lower 
portion of a womens body.
Wau Kutching - Cat kite - Not sure how it looks like a cat but 
the term may have other origins.
Wau ..... - whoops forgotten this one. I will have to look it 
up.

Part of the traditional kite competition is a section aimed at 
testing the kites flying ability. Each participant has 100m of 
line. About people compete against each other at a time. They 
have 10 mins to get the kite up after which it tethered to a 
post which has a spirit level and measure attached. The measure 
is used to record the angle of the string to vertical. It is a 
very exciting competition as the participants exhort their waus 
with loud cries to fly better as measuring time approaches.

The most memorable part of the festival for us as the South African 
team was the oppurtunity to meet with and share the time with so 
many wonderful people from so many different cultures. In 
addition our Malaysian host were extremely hospitable and did 
their best to make our stay thoroughly enjoyable.

Well I'm plotting and scheming about getting to another kite 
festival! Hope you all are keeping well.

Bye for now


 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =