Zine #8 - Payung

There’s a Malay proverb I’ve always liked: Sediakan payung sebelum hujan — “prepare an umbrella before the rain.” Maybe that’s why so many people carry one with them.

I remember chatting with a photographer friend once when it started to drizzle. He got excited and said, “Let’s go out now — there’ll be reflections, umbrellas and interesting colours.” He was right. Rain has a way of turning ordinary streets into something special. Suddenly, everyone carrying an umbrella becomes part of the picture.

Of course, in Asia, and in plenty of other hot places too, umbrellas are not just for rain. People use them to shield themselves from the scorching sun, especially on bright, cloudless days. So maybe the proverb works both ways: prepare for the rain, but also prepare for the sun. Check out Payung