ECHO OF EARTH: THE LABU SAYONG HERITAGE CENTRE

Abstract

The Labu Sayong Heritage Center in Kuala Kangsar, Perak, plays a critical role in the preservation and dissemination
of Malaysia’s traditional pottery heritage. Centered on the production of Labu Sayong—a distinctive, gourd-shaped
water vessel made from natural clay—the center functions as both a cultural institution and a site of active
knowledge transmission. This study examines the historical significance, aesthetic value, and cultural relevance of
Labu Sayong, as well as the center’s efforts in sustaining the craft through community engagement, artisanal
training, and tourism-based educational programs. By exploring the intersection of tradition and innovation, the
Labu Sayong Heritage Center exemplifies a successful model of heritage conservation that contributes to the
continuity of intangible cultural assets in contemporary Malaysian society.