With their kites soaring magnificently above, both Albert Duwas and Ng Siaw Kee share their kite-flying passion. Having been playing for decades now, the experience was like returning to a carefree childhood which they did not have the opportunity to experience. PRISCILLA TAWIE talks to them.
In the olden days, both Ng Siaw Kee, 78, and Albert Duwas, 62, were forced by societal pressure and economic recessions to abandoned their childhood. Both of them found themselves working instead of enjoying the privilege that comes during their development age.
Over the years they kept looking back at the weary and dreary lives they had lived — the childhood that was occupied with hardships. And in those years their minds began to ponder on the what ifs. Having reached the retirement age when they have all the free time in the world, the two men decided to “return” to their younger days — to a hobby that was once a favourite pastime — kite flying.
Speaking to New Sarawak Tribune, Albert recalled his younger days, “We had a tough childhood. The economy made it difficult for our parents to look for jobs. When I was young, we hardly ate chicken. In a year, we could only manage twice or thrice, during Gawai or Christmas Day.”
In comparison to today’s society, Albert said any one could earn a wage just by being hardworking.
Meanwhile, Ng remembered those tiring days when he would work after returning home from school. “In the morning I studied. In the afternoon, I worked at a petrol station just to support myself.”
Toys of the past
Back in those days when technology was scarce, Albert said there were lack of toys, but ample of time. “We don’t have anything to play with, and we had nothing to do. During leisure, we had to make our own toys. I would cut sago branches and make my own toys to play with. I even made a top.”
With kites, it was during art lessons when he chanced upon a liking for the hobby. “I was inspired to make a kite after seeing my friend playing with a plastic kite. He flew it all day, and it seemed fun.”
However, he never got to nurture the interest in kite flying due to lack of time and money. “Somehow, during our younger days, we could not afford many things.”
In the early 2000s, Albert had met a friend who sold kites. “Since I worked and earned a wage, I was able to buy what I could not when I was younger. Now, I buy what I can afford. So, when I met my friend, I told him I wanted buy a kite for my children as I was shy to admit that I was interested myself.”
Ng on the other hand got involved in the hobby together with his daughter. “I gave my younger daughter, then seven years old, her first plastic kite. We flew it in front of our house. Back in the 1980s, Tabuan Jaya used to be an empty land but now there are a lot of shophouses.”
An avid kite flyer until today, Ng makes his own kites and also sells them. A visit to his workshop at his home, one couldn’t help but notice the haberdashery and parts he uses to make a kite. From materials to equipment such as the soldering iron — a diligent Ng would keep himself busy designing his next kite.
The kite maker’s story
When Ng started making kites, he used bamboo and rice paper, and hand painted them. It was only in 2014 when he acquired materials overseas and created his first fabric kite ‘The Minion’. Since then, he has become more creative in his kite making using modern materials.
In the process of making a kite, Ng starts off with choosing a design and colour, then searches for appropriate materials. Then he would use the soldering iron to piece the fabric together, before sewing them to make a kite.
As he rummaged through his favourites, he showed a kite with patchwork done. “When I started this kite, my wife in a sceptic tone asked me what I was doing. I was collecting scrap materials for my kite. It took me months. Unfortunately, during this period when I was making this kite, my wife passed away.”
Once it was done, Ng recalled flying it together with his daughter. “The wind was very strong that day, and as I flew it, we couldn’t believe what we saw. On the patchwork was an image of my late wife. After that, I immediately sew her name on the kite as a tribute.”
Another among his favourites, Ng showed a kite with a Japanese theme. Sewn on it was a Japanese man and it was his finest. “I didn’t know how I did it. I had no interest in art, yet I sat in my living room floor, drawing and sewing it together,” he said.
As he loves making kites during his leisure time, Ng said the challenge that came with this hobby was the lack of materials. “The material I used is called ripstop nylon. And it is very difficult to source since there is not much demand. However, I just make do with what I have.”
The best time to fly
Both Albert and Ng enjoy flying their kites. They also love to make new friends in the process. Albert revealed that they often went for international kite festivals before the pandemic. Among the festivals they attended were Borneo International Kite Festival held in Bintulu. According to Albert, he also participated in Singapore Kite Day and was invited to the Kite Festival in Weifang, China.
“The Borneo International Kite Festival at Bintulu old airport organised by the Bintulu Development Authority has been gazetted as an annual event to promote tourism,” added Albert.
To him, flying a kite has its benefits. “When I was flying in Singapore, the government encourages the youngsters to fly. This is because youngsters these days focus more on their IT gadgets. It would be nice if they could get out and fly too.”
Though flying a kite is a healthy hobby, Ng said the only shortcoming was the lack of locations to fly. “In Kuching, there is no proper place to fly. We used to fly at the Stutong Market carpark, but it is too small and there are electric poles. Now, we fly at the wharf near Abell Road, and have been flying since seven years ago.”
When is the ideal time to fly? Both answered, “When there is a strong wind, then any time is the best.”
Let’s revive this once upon childhood pastime of kite flying.
