Wood Carving on Mosque’s Pulpits in Terengganu: A Study of Wood Carving Design Motifs

Abstract

A mosque is one of the many respected places of praying for the Muslims. It is one of rendezvous used by the Muslims for religious occasion like sermons, meetings and more. Nations around the world each has their own design to the pulpit of the mosques, basing on their own culture and ethnicity. Terengganu is one of the states in Malaysia that has possession a variety of unique and interesting carvings on a mosque’s pulpits. The question now is what are the motifs used in the wood carvings of the mosques’ pulpits in Terengganu? In explaining the answer, qualitative description was used to acquire accurate information. Interviews and observations were also used to enhance the data acquired from both primary and secondary sources. The research found that each of the designs produced used a variety of motifs that had both written and non-written messages. The products of these wood carvings are evidence of the Malay’s craftsmanship that should be preserved. It is hoped that this research would provide information to the public of the importance of preserving cultural heritage that gave identity to an ethnicity.