# 73-Year-Old Kelantan Craftsman Preserves Fishing Tradition

> Buniamin Abdullah, 73, weaves fishing nets by hand since 1987 to keep a fading craft alive.
- Title: 73-Year-Old Kelantan Craftsman Preserves Fishing Tradition
- Summary: Buniamin Abdullah, 73, weaves fishing nets by hand since 1987 to keep a fading craft alive.
- Keywords: buniamin abdullah, kelantan, fishing nets, traditional crafts, hand weaving, nostalgia anak kampung 2026, national museum, Malay Mail
- Source: Malay Mail — https://malaymail.com/news/life/2026/11/09/at-73-a-kelantan-craftsman-is-weaving-a-future-for-a-fading-fishing-tradition/242452
- Published: 2026-11-09T07:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: buniamin abdullah, kelantan, fishing nets, traditional crafts, hand weaving, nostalgia anak kampung 2026, national museum, news, world
## Buniamin Abdullah
73-year-old Kelantan craftsman preserves fishing net-making tradition since 1987.
## Therapeutic Net-Making
Buniamin uses net-weaving as a calming therapy for his mental health.
## Handmade Net Process
Weaving requires precision, measuring gauges, and specialized needles for uniform mesh openings.
## Mesh Size Standards
Prawn nets need 1.9 cm mesh, fish nets require over 2.5 cm openings.
## Time Investment
A small net takes 20 days; larger nets require over a month to complete.
## Market Demand
Handmade nets sell for RM500+ depending on size and complexity.
## Age and Vision Challenges
Buniamin struggles with finer mesh production due to age and deteriorating eyesight.
## Family Inheritance
Two children and grandchildren have learned the net-making craft.
## Museum Conservation Efforts
State museum promotes traditional crafts through public demonstrations.
## Key takeaway

Buniamin Abdullah, a 73-year-old Kelantan craftsman, continues hand-weaving fishing nets since 1987 to preserve a traditional skill at risk of being lost.