A money spinner in the 'rebana'

2008/10/05

A money spinner in the 'rebana'

KUALA LUMPUR: The rebana, the traditional single-headed Malay drum, is enjoying a revival in many local and international circles, and an enterprising craftsman is making sure that the trend continues.

Besut-based Hapizi Husin, 26, appears to be the only entrepreneur of his generation to be producing the instrument and his interest is paying off.

"Besides producing rebana for dikir barat shows, marhaban and weddings, I also produce small rebana as souvenirs for foreigners and for corporate events," said Hapizi.

"With guidance from my father, I hope to hone my rebana-producing skills and support my family. And God willing, I intend to develop the rebana market internationally soon."

Hapizi can expect to receive a big boost to help him realise his dream because handicraft industries which involve the production of items such batik and rebana have been linked to the tourism and manufacturing sectors in the East Coast Economic Region (ECER),

Rebana production would fall under the "wood-based cluster" in the ECER master plan.

Products worth more than RM15 billion from the country's "wood-based cluster" have been exported to more than 100 countries.

According to the master plan, one way for the rebana to reach the international market is to have a craft museum which could serve as a one-stop centre for manufacturers to market and sell their products to tourists in the ECER.

"Usually, once the products are ready, we will send them to the Besut district council to be marketed. We also take part in expos and carnivals to promote the rebana," said Hapizi, whose workshop is based in Kampung Gong Ubi Keling, Besut.

Among the major challenges of the business are the availability of raw materials and their high cost.

There are four types of rebana -- rebana pengerum, rebana ubi, rebana penganak and rebana dikir barat. The rebana ubi, which is at least 70cm in diameter, is the biggest. -- Bernama