One wrong move, sharp knife can turn against flayer

KUANTAN – In the practice of ibadah korban (sacrificial rites), the slaughterer and flayer play equally crucial roles, much like the head and body working in harmony to ensure the process is carried out smoothly.

For Hamzah Alias, 43, an experienced slaughter and flaying worker, both roles should not be underestimated.

"If one is missing, the entire ritual can be disrupted," Hamzah, who has over 25 years of experience in the field said.

Working as a general assistant at a school, Hamzah began learning the craft of flaying at just 18, inheriting the skill from his father, Alias Awang, 71.

"I started by following my father to slaughterhouses and helping him with the flaying. I also learned from experienced slaughterers and flayers," he shared, when met at Kampung Anak Air.

Hamzah also attended a Certified Halal Slaughter Course organised by the Pahang Islamic Religious Department about seven years ago.

He said to become skilled, one must learn from the right teachers.

Flaying, he said involved its own set of techniques, such as identifying joint cuts, making precise blade movements between the skin and flesh and correctly opening the abdomen.

"All of this must be studied carefully. You need to avoid puncturing the stomach or rupturing the gallbladder during the process," he said.

Hamzah, who is also a member of Skuad Qurban Tok Peramu highlighted that beyond technical ability, the role also required passion, courage, a strong stomach and basic knife-handling skills.

"The sharp knife we use can sometimes become a nightmare for the flayer," he added.

He stressed that while the job may appear straightforward, it carried significant risks.

He said a sharp blade used at the wrong moment can be dangerous and even a brief lapse in focus could lead to serious hand injuries

"It happened to me once. I was flaying when someone called me from behind. I turned my head for a moment and the knife went straight into my hand.

"I still have the scar to this day," he recalled.

Hamzah believed that two flayers were sufficient for each cow, while one flayer was enough for a goat.

This, he said, helped prevent knives from clashing and ensures safety throughout the process.