SHAH ALAM, March 15 — As Ramadan approaches its final days, the glow of pelita panjut once again illuminates house compounds in villages, reviving night-time scenes filled with memories of Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.
In Kampung Kelanang, Kuala Langat, a young man is diligently keeping the tradition alive. Khairul Nizam Kamaruddin, 37, better known as Pak Tam, produces pelita panjut manually in the yard of his home every year.
Beginning with cutting bamboo, fitting the wicks, and painting them in bright colours, each lamp is carefully crafted before it is ready to light up festive nights.
For Pak Tam, pelita panjut are not merely decorations but symbols of heritage that evoke the village atmosphere rarely felt in this day and age.
His handcrafted lamps have not only been well received by local residents but have also attracted visitors from outside the area, who wish to experience the beauty of a gradually fading tradition.
Photographer FIKRI YUSOF captured the process of making the pelita panjut, from cutting the bamboo and installing the wicks to painting the bamboo in vibrant colours with distinctive patterns.
All photos were taken using the Xiaomi 15T Series.
Craftsman Khairul Nizam Kamaruddin, 37, drills holes into bamboo for pelita panjut orders in the yard of his home in Kampung Kelanang, Kuala Langat, on March 3, 2026.
Craftsman Khairul Nizam Kamaruddin, 37, drills holes into bamboo for pelita panjut orders in the yard of his home in Kampung Kelanang, Kuala Langat, on March 3, 2026.
Craftsman Khairul Nizam Kamaruddin, 37, arranges painted bamboo pelita panjut for the drying process in the yard of his home in Kampung Kelanang, Kuala Langat, on March 3, 2026.
Craftsman Khairul Nizam Kamaruddin, 37, spray paints bamboo pelita panjut for orders in the yard of his home in Kampung Kelanang, Kuala Langat, on March 3, 2026.
Craftsman Khairul Nizam Kamaruddin, 37, uses printed cloth to pattern bamboo pelita panjut in the yard of his home in Kampung Kelanang, Kuala Langat, on March 3, 2026.
Craftsman Khairul Nizam Kamaruddin, 37, patterns bamboo pelita panjut for orders using printed cloth in the yard of his home in Kampung Kelanang, Kuala Langat, on March 3, 2026.
Craftsman Khairul Nizam Kamaruddin, 37, arranges painted bamboo pelita panjut for the drying process in the yard of his home in Kampung Kelanang, Kuala Langat, on March 3, 2026.
Craftsman Khairul Nizam Kamaruddin, 37, inserts the wick into a bamboo pelita panjut in the yard of his home in Kampung Kelanang, Kuala Langat, on March 3, 2026.
Craftsman Khairul Nizam Kamaruddin, 37, holds up a raw bamboo stalk which will be used to make decorative pelita panjut, in the yard of his home in Kampung Kelanang, Kuala Langat, on March 3, 2026.
