Article: Cerita Lokal - Tunjuk Langit, Terengganu
Cerita Lokal - Tunjuk Langit, Terengganu
PRESERVING SYMBOL & STUCTURE: HAFIY NAJMI'S DEDICATION TO TUNJUK LANGIT
The Origins of Tunjuk Langit
In Kampung Titian Baru, Terengganu, Hafiy Najmi, 27, continues a family tradition that has been part of the village for generations — crafting the Tunjuk Langit, a distinctive wooden element atop traditional Malay house roofs.
Hafiy first learned the craft at 18, watching his father, Encik Hussin, one of the village’s earliest Tunjuk Langit makers, at work. “Saya belajar dengan tengok ayoh buat. Dari situ timbul minat dan saya cuba buat sendiri,” he recalls. Today, his father still practices the craft, keeping the tradition alive.
After years of refining his skills, Hafiy now runs his own workshop alongside his siblings. “Ada kemahiran, ada pengalaman, jadi buka sendirilah untuk berniaga,” he explains.
Each Tunjuk Langit takes around 45 minutes to make, carefully carved from kayu seraya chosen for its durability in Malaysia’s tropical climate. “Kebiasaannya bentuk yang kecil untuk garage kereta atau gazebo. Kalau buat yang besar sikit, untuk rumah, ada banyak saiz,” Hafiy adds.
Symbolism and Meaning Behind Tunjuk Langit
But Tunjuk Langit is more than just a decorative piece. “Tunjuk Langit tu bukan untuk lawa rumah saja, tapi ada mesej dia yang tersendiri daripada seni warisan Melayu asal Terengganu,” Hafiy says.
Each piece carries meaning — a symbol of faith, heritage, and identity. It reminds us of the Oneness of God and stands as a lasting cultural marker in Terengganu’s Malay architecture.
Through each Tunjuk Langit he crafts, Hafiy preserves not only a skill passed down from his father but also the values of identity, craftsmanship, and faith — a legacy that continues to point upward.
