THE Rural Entrepreneurs Carnival (KUD) provides a platform for industry players nationwide to
showcase their high-quality products and expand their businesses.
The five-day carnival at Anjung Floria here is running until Sunday, and it features a wide array of interesting products and services in exciting exhibitions and eye-catching booths. Organised to promote and support rural entrepreneurship, it has become a significant draw for visitors and traders alike, promising a unique opportunity to build networks and directly purchase one-of-a-kind products.
Jalila Ghani, 56, travelled all the way from Terengganu to participate in the carnival with the goal of introducing and promoting her meticulously crafted products. She is the founder of Jendila Craft, selling vibrant mats, hats, fans and bags handmade from mengkuang or screwpine leaves, She said that this is her first time participating in KUD solely to promote her business.
"I started this business in 2010 with a simple goal, which is to showcase the beauty of mengkuang weaving to the world. I've travelled far to show the beauty of mengkuang weaving because these aren't just traditional products, but they are also a piece of our culture intricately woven into each thread," she said.
Jalila takes pride in producing her handicraft from scratch, ensuring that each piece is a testament to her skill and dedication.
"While people usually weave mengkuang items for personal use, I have turned it into a business,"she said.
Mohd Azeimi Muhd Noor, 45, who came from Kelantan, expressed his excitement at participating in the exhibition with his exquisite wau (giant kites). He said the South Kelantan Development Authority (Kesedar) had invited him to showcase his wau art and conduct demonstrations.
"I've been a consistent participant in KUD exhibitions and this year, we are presenting three categories: wau flying, wau crafting and an exhibition of our creations."
Proudly representing his craft and the cultural richness of Kelantan, Azeimi emphasised the significance of his participation.
"Many visitors have expressed interest in trying their hand at making and flying kites. It's heartening to see people eager to connect with our cultural heritage. Other than that, we also have
various wau for sale. The price depends on the size and intricacy of design that utilises the traditional sobek technique, which involves paper carving," he added.
He said his passion in crafting wau stemmed from his childhood, where he learned the art from his father and grandfather.
"From young, I've been fascinated by the process of creating kites. It's a tradition passed down through generations in my family," he said.
Visitors could be seen exploring the carnival in search of a variety of products, such as handicraft, home-made organic food and traditional textiles.
Hasbullah Hassnan, a 37-year old from Bangi, Selangor, was eager to immerse himself in the array of unique exhibits. He said the multitude of booths had captivated his interest, many of which were entirely new and intriguing for him to explore.
"Previous editions of the event were lively, but this time, there are even more booths I've never encountered before."
Hasbullah said that his interest to visit the carnival was spurred by word-of-mouth, as friends who came before him had told him about its diverse offerings.
"I learned about this carnival through my friends, some of whom have set up booths here. It's exciting to be part of an event that brings together various cultural experiences.
"I'm excited to see what the KUD has in store this year, and I will bring my family as well," he said.
Another visitor, Norhidayuwani Kasim, 55, praised the homemade and Muslim products for their affordability and broad appeal, affirming her commitment to supporting these businesses. Norhidayuwani, who has been attending the carnival each year, shared her appreciation for the event's commitment to promoting local businesses.
"I also attend exhibitions to gather information from booths around here. I've purchased frozen items like curry puffs, traditional sweets, and even souvenirs," she said.
Wani noted the advancements and improvements in the site's facilities, making the carnival more resilient to weather changes.
"In the past, the carnival was held in open spaces, so if it suddenly rained, the traders had to close their booths. But now, it has improved with numerous facility upgrades, ensuring both vendors and visitors enjoy greater comfort.
"This carnival should be held every year because you can find everything here — from food to new information and exhibitions representing the entire nation.
"It's an event that ensures you won't get bored," she added.