Painstaking process: Pua Kok Huat putting the finishing touches to a giant Da Shi Ye paper effigy at his workshop in Semenyih, Selangor. — SAMUEL ONG/The Star
Art of making handmade paper effigies slowly giving way due to lack of interest from younger generation and machine-made creations
The multitude of coloured papers in every shape and size put to use at a workshop in Semenyih, Selangor, is testament to a tradition that has been passed down through generations.
Completed house, boat and car paper effigies crafted with meticulous attention to detail and the menacing figure of Da Shi Ye (guardian god of ghosts) towering in the middle were a reflection of master craftsman Pua Kok Huat’s skills.
This 54-year-old’s busiest season is now, the seventh month of the lunar calendar.
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“Orders of paper effigies from individuals and Chinese associations will come flooding in for the Hungry Ghost Festival,” Pua said when met.
The festival is observed on the 15th of the seventh lunar month, which falls on Aug 18.
Paper boats being stacked up at Chan’s workshop in Kepong.— Photos: SAMUEL ONG and CHAN TAK KONG/The Star
It is believed that the gates of hell open and ghosts roam the human world during the month.
Traditionally, altars would be set up to offer food, incense, joss paper money and other paraphernalia while Chinese devotees burn paper effigies, which represent the luxuries of the earthly world, to honour and appease wandering souls.
“Many would order a huge paper effigy of Da Shi Ye, also known as Por Tor Kong, during this period.
“The Da Shi Ye effigy will be placed at the centre,” he said.
The god is usually clad in colourful clothing with a piece of paper covering its eyes, which will only be removed during the rituals.
Burning Da Shi Ye effigies signifies the return of the god to the underworld.
Pua learned the craft from his uncle and now runs Pinkai Enterprise, a family business producing paper effigies.
Pua standing on a stool to put the finishing touches to the lower body of the Da Shi Ye paper effigy.
“I started learning the trade when I was about 20 and have been making paper effigies ever since,” said Pua.
With over 30 years of experience, it has become second nature to him.
Bamboo sticks are tied together to form the frame of the effigies.
Pua and his workers then apply paper of different sizes, folds and colours to the frame, using a homemade adhesive made from flour, water and glue.
The paper, sourced from China due to limited local supplies, is carefully chosen to bring the effigies to life.
A man adding details to a paper effigy of an apartment.
Pua’s work ranges from small effigies of cars and boats to large ones such as an entire apartment building.
The time required to complete each effigy depends on its size.
“It can take anywhere from a day to a few weeks.
“For instance, a 12ft Da Shi Ye effigy takes five days to a week. I’ve made an 18ft Da Shi Ye before, and it took nearly two weeks to complete,” he said.
Effigies like Da Shi Ye have to be made in two parts – the lower and upper body, which will be assembled after delivery.
Although they are currently busy with the Hungry Ghost Festival, there are also times during the year when individuals order paper effigies to perform gong de (acts of merit) for their ancestors.
While many effigy designs are passed down from master to apprentice, Pua believes that creativity plays a crucial role.
Pua says the art of making paper effigies is in danger of dying out.
“It’s up to the effigy maker to add their own personal touch.
“The fundamental designs are similar, but the craftsmanship makes a difference.”
Pua acknowledged that his trade was facing a decline.
“It is difficult to pass down the skills to the younger generation as they are not interested.
“It requires a lot of patience, long hours and working in an uncomfortable environment,” he said, adding that it would be a shame if the craft were to die out.
Art and craft of paper effigies
Another seasoned effigy maker, Chan Mun San, echoed Pua’s sentiments.
Chan says many believe paper offerings will bring them luck.
“Despite the presence of many paper effigy makers, the craft is slowly fading away.
“There are machine-made paper effigies, but they can’t compare to the handmade ones, especially those that exceed 10ft in height.
“Machine-made effigies lack the bamboo structure that makes handmade effigies more solid and durable.
“However, smaller machine-made effigies are a viable business, especially for Qing Ming, where devotees burn offerings for their ancestors,” said the 52-year-old effigy maker at his workshop in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur.
With over 30 years of experience, Chan learned the trade from his late father and now runs Hoe Heng Joss Papers Sdn Bhd.
He noted that while many effigies were modelled after images found online, true artistry came from the creativity of the makers themselves.
“For instance, we might use an image of Da Shi Ye from the Internet as a reference, but we add unique costumes to give it a more vibrant and personalised touch.
“The god usually holds a ling qi or ling pai, a token symbolising authority over the ghosts.
Bamboo sticks are used to make the frame of the paper effigy.
“We also mix and match different paper materials to make the effigies visually appealing,” he added.
Chan also shed light on the symbolism behind common effigies.
“The ship is believed to ferry our ancestors to the afterlife, while the house provides them with a place to live.
“During funerals, devotees sometimes burn these houses for the deceased, hoping they will have a place to stay in the netherworld.
“Over time, devotees may burn larger, more elaborate houses for their ancestors so that they can live more comfortably.
“As for Da Shi Ye, it is usually accompanied by a gold and silver mountain where devotees pray for wealth and prosperity.”
Chan also shared some of the more unique requests he had received, including paper effigies of planes and luxury car models.
Gold and silver mountains are often placed on both sides of Da Shi Ye.
“These require reservations of at least two months because we have to design the effigies from scratch.
“We had requests for luxury car paper effigies, which were custom-made. These luxury vehicle effigies can cost between RM40,000 and RM60,000,” he said.
Chan said many people believe that offering gong de and burning paper effigies would bring them good luck.
“During the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, prayers for the Hungry Ghost Festival were halted.
“After the movement control order was lifted, many continued the tradition and ordered these paper effigies as offerings.
“So, there has been more demand in the past two years,” he said.
It is common to see residents and Chinese associations preparing for the festival by setting up stage performances and practising rituals at neighbourhoods and temples.
“Many still celebrate the festival religiously and feel uneasy if they do not do it.
“They believe that continuing to do so would bring them good luck, health and abundance in the coming year,” Chan said.
