How Malaysians Celebrate
Hari Raya
In light of the
upcoming Eid al-Fitri, commonly known as Hari Raya Puasa or simply Hari Raya in
Malaysia, Muslims especially the Malays living in which already have been over
their heads taking extensive preparations as to make it the perfect Raya ever. This
is evidently what is being reported by our national news outlets. One TR Weekly
confirms that “street bazaars and shopping malls are also hyping up with
numerous offers for the upcoming Hari Raya celebrations”
(www.ttrweekly.com/site/2015/06/malaysia-in-carnival-mode), indicating that the
market undoubtedly knows its “preys”. In reality, an annual grand shopping is
not exactly new but merely a tradition long observed by them, and that’s just
one out of many particulars by which Malaysian Muslims, especially Malays would
commemorate the Great Day.
Elaborating on the aforementioned
point, shopping activity is a requisite for any “observant” Malaysians. For it
is accepted by the public consciousness as the greatest Islamic celebration and
holiday, Hari Raya entails everyone to be in proper manner: that means new
clothes, exclusively to be worn on that day; Raya cuisine, traditionally prepared
for the great feasting, justified after a month of starving; and decorating or
furnishing the dwellings or vehicles with Raya themes or straight up buying new
ones. Certainly, retails and shopping centres will be crowded, before Ramadan
even, by the-would-be celebrators in order to purchase the goods or services
required for the Great Day. Indeed, economic factors are absolutely not a STOP
sign for spending money as some less unfortunate Malaysians resort to flea
markets or any economical stores to purchase much affordable luxurious Raya
goods. Delightfully to note, Raya season is directly responsible for the boost
in profit for many scheming business establishments which in turn will most
probably support our floundering national economy.
What does motivate
those people to the extent that they take great endeavors for the sake of the
celebration? Any religious occasion call for mass gathering of people and
likewise, Hari Raya is no exception. Workers in the cities will be returning to
their hometowns, bringing along their families. Such phenomenon, called “balik
kampong”, is the prelude to the big celebration. On that day, tradition has
listed that families, relatives, friends, and neighbors are to be invited or
obligated to travel to the houses. Known as ziarah, this occasion gives chances
for strengthening family ties and seeking reconciliation. They would exchange
“Maaf Zahir Batin” to ask forgiveness, especially that of parents’, which is
once a year according to standard.
Malays regard their
guests reverently and as such, are entitled to the best hospitality. The host
would prepare a wide variety of traditional Malay Raya cuisine like lemang,
ketupat, and rendang that were previously cooked the evening before. Kuih-muih
are indispensable as well, some would include pineapple tarts, roti jala,
onde-onde, and kuih almond. There is no Malay Raya feast without these. The
cuisines are not essentially the main attraction, for children at least. This
holiday is the most blessed for them as Hari Raya is the day when the adults
give out money or “duit raya” for children. As far as the kids are concerned,
your image depends on the amount of “duit raya” you give them.
Prepared by Zaim
