Facial Threading

A riddle goes like this: “Four eyes staring at each other, four legs clashing with each other. One bites hard, another’s face hurts”, describing this traditional beautifying skill —— facial threading, also known as shaving fine hairs. Facial threading could be said as a wisdom and technique passed on from ancient times, using one simple tool to get rid of fine facial hair, dead skin and even acne. At the same time, it enhances blood circulation of the face, as well as keeping the skin smooth and shiny.

A scorching sun shines bright in the sky, beneath luscious tree shades, with two low stools, a spool of cotton thread, polishing powder, hairpin and a comb, Grandma Teo Yoke Kim bites on one end of the thread, her right hand holding the other end, the cotton thread curled around her left hand like scissors, forming three points coordinating with each other to exert force. Grandma Teo uses the intertwined knot to move back and forth on the skin and pores, quickly and effectively clean fine hairs and dead skin off the face. This unique technique attracts full attention of bystanders, and is much admired.

Since a tender age, Grandma Teo observe the way her elders in the village do facial threading, thus acquiring the skill. As the elders pass away one by one, Grandma Teo also gradually age. Now that she is 86, she seldom does facial threading for others, the younger generation has no way to pick up the technique. The people who mastered this traditional skill are getting fewer in numbers, which is regrettable.

Text: Daniel Lim & Pua Hui Wen

有你 UNI Production
Producer : Mok Yii Chek
Coordinator : Daniel Lim
Cinematographer : Amelia Lim / Evon Pang
Video Editor : Amelia Lim
Music : Mellowlands from Felt Music

COPYRIGHTS 2018 ECHINOIDEA SDN BHD

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Jingling Candy in Seremban

Jingle, jingle, jingle… this thrilling clank has not paused over 60 years. An old-fashioned bicycle, a wooden sunshade, a hammer in one hand and an awl in the other, crushing the big tray of stiff candy made from maltose and sugar into small pieces. These small pieces are a traditional handmade snack sold by Mr Tey Kim Wah (transliteration) for the sixty years: Jingling Candy, also known as Royal Consort Candy.

Apart from retaining the traditional selling method, 82-year-old Mr Tey still patiently produces jingling candy on his own, behind his house in his singlet and a towel wrapped around his shoulders. Firstly, cook the maltose and sugar for two to three hours, then cool down the syrup using large amounts of cold water while constantly stirring it. Subsequently is the tedious sugar pulling process, pulling the hot and heavy sugar until it turns milky white. Mr Tey’s great skill is much admired.

Mr Tey is an enthusiastic advocate for education, he is often seen at various school fundraising events. His son Kravin Tey takes over this business, going on to sell jingling candy the traditional way all over Peninsular Malaysia, continuously rendering the thrilling clank.

Text: Daniel Lim & Pua Hui Wen

有你 UNI Production
Producer : Mok Yii Chek
Coordinator : Daniel Lim
Cinematographer : Amelia Lim / Evon Pang
Video Editor : Evon Pang
Music : After All That You Said from Felt Music

COPYRIGHTS 2018 ECHINOIDEA SDN BHD

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Soy Sauce in Gopeng

To make a living, it depends on the weather. The second generation successor of Hup Teck Soy Sauce, Mr Low Pak Tong says casually while pointing at hundreds of ancient soy sauce earthen jars in the courtyard and looking up towards the sky. This well-established octogenarian brand of housemade soy sauce located in Gopeng, Hup Teck Soy Sauce, has been taken over by the third generation since its launch. During all these years, the family-run business still insisted on using pure and natural resources as well as traditional production methods, genuinely handmade, the entire process time-consuming and laborious.

A jar of soy sauce needs to be exposed beneath the hot sun for three months, the thick caramel soy sauce requires up to six months duration. Each day, the lid needs to be removed for the fermented soybeans to be exposed to the sun. If the weather is cloudy or rainy, the lid must be put on immediately to prevent contact with water. During rainy seasons, the exposure process needs to be extended for a few more weeks.

Hup Teck Soy Sauce is only sold in its own retail outlet, and is not sold out-station or exported. The glass bottles containing the soy sauce are continually reused, and therefore did not bear any labels or branding. Over the years, their reputation was built up by word-of-mouth and good quality, attracting the support of regulars as well as customers abroad who would pay a visit to their premises.

Text: Daniel Lim & Pua Hui Wen

有你 UNI Production
Producer : Mok Yii Chek
Coordinator : Daniel Lim
Cinematographer : Amelia Lim / Evon Pang
Video Editor : Evon Pang
Music : Emmas Waltz from Felt Music

COPYRIGHTS 2018 ECHINOIDEA SDN BHD

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