"TEPAK SIRIH" STILL PLAYS SIGNIFICANT ROLE DURING AUSPICIOUS OCCASIONS

By Shuhaida Mohd Said

KUALA TERENGGANU, Aug 22 (Bernama) -- The “tepak sirih”, a copper container for storing the complete ingredients for chewing betel leaves, remains a symbol of Malay tradition and plays a significant role during auspicious occasions, such as engagements and weddings. 

According to SA Unique Craft manager, Shaiful Sani Zakaria, “tepak sirih” is one of the more popular orders he receives, which tends to increase during school holidays as it is synonymous with the season of feasts.  

“We are very busy during the school holidays because many engagement and wedding ceremonies are held during those times. 

“Customers prefer to use copper “tepak sirih” as it looks more exclusive and has a polished glow,” he told Bernama at his copper workshop at the Terengganu branch of the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation in Chendering near here. 

Shaiful Sani said his workshop can only produce up to 10 sets of copper “tepak sirih” a week due to a shortage of skilled artisans and raw materials as well as challenges in sourcing copper currently. 

“The “tepak sirih” has little receptacles known as “kacip” and ‘cembul” to hold the assortment of ingredients which are usually chewed with the betel leaves and areca nut.  

“The whole set is placed in front of the parties representing the prospective bride and groom, while they discuss wedding arrangements,” he said. 

Shaiful Sani, who has only one assistant in the workshop, said the two most common orders for the “tepak sirih” are the rectangle and round shapes, which are priced according to the intricacies of their designs.

“The rectangle ones can be as low as RM280, but the round ones are more intricate and start at RM380,” he said.

He said his customers would also order candelabra, “bunga telur” door gifts and rose water sprinklers for traditional Malay wedding ceremonies.   

Shaiful Sani said most individuals who get into the craft do not last long at it because the process of making the copper containers involve very high heat and soot.

“The copper sold at scrap metal yards is also very expensive but luckily sometimes we get cheaper prices as registered Handicraft Corporation copper artisans,” he said. 

Shaiful Sani also participates in handicraft festivals all over the country to expand his business and usually, all his stock at these events is sold out. 

Apart from “tepak sirih”, he also makes copper pots and pans as well as kitchen utensils and accepts orders for souvenirs, such as dagger replicas and traditional musical instruments. 

-- BERNAMA