Aptly hailing from Kampung Kraftangan here, Mohd Maliki Mohd Rosli’s childhood fascination has turned into a long-term commitment, as he seeks to preserve the rare and humble bird trap as a symbol of Malay heritage and artistry.

“Even though times have changed, I want this craft to stay alive and be passed on. It is not just a bird trap but a heritage symbol full of artistry and detail,” he told Bernama at the Kelantan Malay Textile and Heritage Festival at Istana Balai Besar recently.

The 38-year-old father of three began making quail traps six years ago as a pastime after buying one in Bachok for RM800. He was immediately captivated by its intricate design.

His first attempt took nearly three months to complete. In 2021, he sharpened his skills by attending a course in Kampung Bunohan, Tumpat.

Each trap, he said, demands patience and specialised skills. The base is carved with floral motifs such as pucuk paku (fiddlehead fern) and ketam guri (arrowleaf sida).

The body, meanwhile, is crafted from finely shaved bamboo, woven neatly with selected woods like arang bunga, setor and jackfruit. It is finished with front weaves and counterweights of tin or copper.

Depending on the complexity, a single trap can take anywhere from one month to a year to complete, with prices ranging between RM2,500 and RM5,500.

“It requires the right mood because of its precision. If a mistake happens, the work has to be redone from the base,” he noted.

For now, Maliki is focusing on sales within Kelantan, where he personally delivers each order to avoid damage.