A Joyous Celebration on 1st of Syawal
The holy month of Ramadan had ended and we herald the month of Syawal and celebrate Hari Raya Aidil Fitri or Eid ul Fitr.
A day that the rich and the poor enjoy happiness of the day, as the haves give the fitrah to the have-nots.
No Muslims must remain hungry of the day of Eid and it is forbidden for us to fast on this joyous day.
We headed off to my hometown on the eve of Raya/Eid. Preparation was already underway. Lemang cooked. No dodol this year though. My younger brother and his friends did a mean dodol last year and was a hit amongst the relatives.
The night before Raya, after the kiddos had a round playing with "bunga api" (those tame ones la not hardcore mercuns...) they had a chance to help out with the Raya cooking. Well, they helped with de-shelling (buang kulit) of peanuts and pounding them. Sure, we can just blitz them with a blender. Would be faster too. But what's the fun in that? ^^
A day that the rich and the poor enjoy happiness of the day, as the haves give the fitrah to the have-nots.
No Muslims must remain hungry of the day of Eid and it is forbidden for us to fast on this joyous day.
We headed off to my hometown on the eve of Raya/Eid. Preparation was already underway. Lemang cooked. No dodol this year though. My younger brother and his friends did a mean dodol last year and was a hit amongst the relatives.
The night before Raya, after the kiddos had a round playing with "bunga api" (those tame ones la not hardcore mercuns...) they had a chance to help out with the Raya cooking. Well, they helped with de-shelling (buang kulit) of peanuts and pounding them. Sure, we can just blitz them with a blender. Would be faster too. But what's the fun in that? ^^
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Raimie has a fan. His youngest cousin. :-) Another one will be joining the family next month!
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The cousins helping out each other. Plus, eating a lot of peanuts while doing it too! LOL
But aren't they just so adorable? ^^
The morning of Raya started with this important "duty" for us already working and earning money. Unlike the Chinese, where single people doesn't give angpow but instead still receive them regardless their age, for Malays, once we are working and are earning money; come Raya we give "duit Raya".
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Putting cash in "duit raya" envelopes.
Cash can range from a few hundred (or thousands?) for immediate family, to RM50 to close family members or friends or relatives to RM20-RM1 to others. We normally give RM1 or RM2 for those random kids who came visiting to our house.
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There's Duit Raya in there!
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One for the family!
Group photo with the family. A rare ocassion to see us because normally we'd spent the Raya morning with Zaini's dad before heading off to my hometown.
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Mommy and Son. ^^
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Daddy and Son. ^^
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The "asking for forgiveness" session is a must. The children and the grandchildren all lined up to seek forgiveness with my "Bapak" (that's what we call our Dad) and "Mak" (Mom). We give them "duit raya" while the grandchildren received "duit raya".
Then, let the feasting begins!
I tell you, I lost count of how many times I ate! LOL
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Me and my "baulu" kuih. A traditional kuih. My favourite. Shocking that I only found them served in two homes. Even my parents' home doesn't have "baulu" this Raya! Booohooohooo
nice get-together! Raya is about visitation and makan..I love baulu too!
ReplyDeleteRaya is the time to meet people and seek forgiveness... and MAKAN! :)
DeleteI have to run off to work, but meantime quickly: beautiful photos! ^^
ReplyDeleteCome back!!!! :P
DeleteI'm back!!!
DeleteLots of words (food?) I don't know in this post, but not to worry, I just looked at the pictures again. :)
I love reading about other cultures' customs, and it's particularly interesting to read about the similarities/differences between a Malaysian Ramadan/Eid and an Egyptian one.
Not that my obachan brain can remember much about Cairo during Ramadan. It was hot and everything was closed and ... that's that. ^^
No food, sadly. Plenty of people do Raya food posts. I did too so I thought I change style for 2013. Jazz things up a bit. ;p
Delete"everything was closed" oh gawd... I so am missing the ease of buying breakfast at the roadside stall. They are closed. Maybe they'll be back before the end of August? *fingers crossed*
Well written Raya entry, Sis... Owhhh Raimie's cousin... Sooo cute! Her cheeks are to die for... LOL
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Bahulu, I haven't had one yet this Raya... Luv the original one, cooked with sabut kelapa and dapur arang, instead of the modern way... Although I had to admit, it is soo sweet... ;P
Kuih raya apa pun manis. ;)
DeleteDah stop ke belum mode makan kuih raya ni?
still a good time to wish you Selamat Hari Raya huh?? though you may probably be back to work already.. the Chinese celebrates CNY for 15 days, how long is the Raya being celebrated?? throughout Syawal??
ReplyDeleteThe big day is on the 1st day of Syawal itself.
DeleteBut of course we all celebrate it until the 30th day of Syawal. Muahaha
one whole month la SK....means you can still visit Lina for makan and duit raya this whole month :p
DeleteMalay customs - no give money to bujang lapok. :-D
Deletei can imagine how joyous the house was on Malam Raya.. everyone gathered in the house helping in the preparation for the Raya, with happy laughter from the kids!! oooh, i just love that, probably the happiest moments one could have..
ReplyDeleteTiring but fun! :)
DeleteIf we spent it in KL with Zaini's side, I'd be in the kitchen alone at home th whole night cooking.
SO going back to my hometown is a nice change. Raimie loves it too. :)
yeah, get them involved in helping though you may just get the peanuts grounded using blender in minutes.. so i bet you have to prepare 2 bags extra because that would already been in their stomach before they handed you the ground peanuts?? :p
ReplyDeleteLOL
DeleteYa, betul. ;)
oh yeah, duit raya!! it's true that in chinese tradition, only married ones give out money.. but nowadays, those who are able to give may probably give angpow to elderly or kids too, just not to the same generation but those before or after :)
ReplyDeleteInteresting!
DeleteTradition has changed eh?
I guess all my Chinese colleagues are rather traditional then. The single ones told me that don't give any except for their parents.
kuih bahulu!! hmmm, always pass by and had good smell of this cake, but never bought any before.. and i also have not been to the bazaar ramadhan this year too!! woohoo, good control~~ :D
ReplyDeleteSuch good control!
DeleteSalute SK! ;p
What a lovely family with happy photos! I like the colourful family shot.
ReplyDeleteBaju Raya sure mesti colourful! Hahaha
DeleteThe Chinese tradition has changed long ago too with working singles giving red packets to their nephews, nieces and parents.
ReplyDeleteGood la.
DeleteBut they also still accept ang pows, right? Or change also??
Mak Glam got new hair do! Lagi Glam! Nice!
ReplyDeleteNo lah. No time & money to even cut hair.
DeleteI am also addicted to Baulu kuih. I must eat them fresh when it still has light crisps. Heavenly!
ReplyDeleteI am addicted to the ones my family made, the traditional way. ^^
DeleteRaimie's youngest cousin is so cute with big eyes! Is the cousin a he or she?
ReplyDeleteShe. :)
DeleteWow, such a happy occasion right?
ReplyDeleteMy hubby's colleague brought us some nasi pulut and kuih raya the other day, good enough for me, as I don't get to visit any rumah terbuka, hehe~
Aiyoh, no chance to go for Rumah Terbuka yet? Never mind, there's still 3 weeks to go! ;)
DeleteSelamat Hari Raya! What's your 'must do' raya cooking/ baking? Ke tolong mkn je :)
ReplyDeleteBalik kampung tolong makan dan tolong sibuk jer.
DeleteBut for the past 13 years that I celebrate with in-laws, I mesti masak kuah kacang, my Opah style. Tak kisah diaorang tak makan, I makan. HAHAHA
Lauk Raya lain, tiap tahun tukar. Hubby request.
Selamat hari raya!
sampai balik KL pun x jumpa baulu raya thn ni
ReplyDeleteKita makan baulu Aeon je la Has. Kakaka
Deletewah lau eh..very syok la...meriah sangat tu..Eh Raimie pun kena turun dapur jugak?
ReplyDeleteOf course. :)
Deleteuiks...this year brownish tone wor baju...not all same color.
ReplyDeleteLain sikit. haha
DeleteSelamat hari raya to you n your family.
ReplyDeleteThanks Willie!
DeleteHope you had a great weekend!
selamat hari raya kak lina femes runner
ReplyDeleteWekeke
DeleteSelamat Raya Matjoe & family.
Bila next race? ;-)
Selamat Hari Raya Lina & family :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Cubie :)
Delete