Perak is known for its traditional pottery-making, labu sayong. Labu is an earthenware container that typically takes the shape of a gourd.

Sayong is a small village in Perak that had been considered by many as the birthplace of labu sayong.

Traditionally, labu sayong comes in two plain colours. Black and brown. However, a modernised version of labu sayong occasionally has motifs in various colours and styles painted on it.


Made entirely from fine clay, produced through several traditional processes in stages, labu sayong is traditionally used to store water. Tradition has it that labu sayong can keep the water colder than regular water.

Also, many believe that drinking from it gives one numerous health benefits. Historically, hunters back in the day made use of labu sayong as their water pitchers when travelling and hunting.

We went to visit Muzium Labu Sayong several weeks ago. Located in Kampung Kepala Bendang, as the name suggests, Muzium Labu Sayong is in fact a museum.



The museum is neither small nor big but it has almost everything you need to know about labu sayong and its brief history. Everything is properly labelled. You will get to see original tools and equipment artisans used back in the day to make labu sayong.




Encik Harun, the owner of Muzium Labu also conducts workshops for visitors of all ages interested in learning how to make labu sayong. From scratch with your bare hands. Visitors will then get to bring back labu sayong that they’ve made themselves.

It was fun and very educational. Encik Harun was friendly, helpful and passionate in his commitment to preserving the heritage of labu sayong. For anyone interested in learning about all things labu sayong, this is where you go.