SeLamat Hari Raya 2007

My Hari Raya as a kid
Hari Raya is a big deal for me when I was a kid. I can still remember how happy I was when they start playing Hari Raya festive songs on the radio. Nevermind if I skipped some fasting days, I always have this “feel-good” feeling whenever Hari Raya approaches. However, since I am now a mother pushing 40, this feeling have kinda fade off considerably but for now, I shall not write about that.

Every year my Hari Raya was like clockwork. There was this unwritten timetable-schedule of some sort that everyone followed. So for those non-Muslims out there who is curious on what the heck we Malay Muslims do during Hari Raya, perhaps I will shed some light.

I don’t know why but every Hari Raya eve, everyone would be an insomniac. It will be 3am and we will still be up. We would usually be watching reruns of P Ramlee movies.. ( his movies never gets old.. I don’t know how he does it.) My Mum would be practically wrestling with the curtains.. a last minute decoration item. The whole house would reek of fresh paint and the place would still be in a mess especially the kitchen but miraculously come morning, everything would be in order.
The whole house would smell of rendang which is a good thing because after 1 month long of fasting, you will get this weird-happy feeling of being able to eat again in the afternoon. (Muslims know what I’m talking about:)

When I was a kid, my parents have the knack to buy a new set of baju kurung for us. Even though our old baju kurung is still wearable, my parents have a “all-new” policy. And they would insist my brother wear hisy outfit with a samping. In case you guys do not know what I’m talking about, try picturing a guy wearing some pyjamas with a mini skirt. I wonder where the ancient Mats get this fashion idea from? But I gotta admit he look good. Give him a keris and he’ll make a good Hang Jebat.
Not bad eh?


Now next comes an awkward moment that as a kid, it took time for me to get accustomed with. We have to ask our parents for forgiveness for all the wrong doings that we have done to them. I’m not too proud to ask for forgiveness BUT I prefer to do it behind close doors and in private and NOT do it for all the sisters to see. My Mum will start first and ask forgiveness from my Dad. My elder brother will then go next, and my turn comes next .. I also learn that when you ask for forgiveness, it’s not as easy as “ Dad I sorry ah!” You gotta make a little speech and kinda whisper it to your parents to hear.. My forgive me speech template goes something like this:-
“Dad, I’m sorry for what I did before. I will try to be good. Maaf Zahir dan Batin” Whatever you do, you gotta add “zahir dan batin”. I don’t actually know what it means but since it’s in every Hari Raya greeting card, I bet it means from the bottom of heart.
My parents would then reply by saying “Don’t fight with your brother!” And then proceed to a hug. By now, my Mum and dad would start crying.. hard enough to express their emotions.

I guess I’ll get back into the Hari Raya mood , after I have kids, thing changed...
By now practically 90% of all Malay Muslim would head to the streets and head to our relative’s place.
The rule is to stop by the elder’s place (Grandma’s place) first then to the oldest uncle or aunt etc. The
drill is preety much the same for every place we go. We would sit around and watch Hari Raya specials on TV. while we gulp down glasses of Sarsi and Orange, eat pineapple tarts as our parents engage in private conversations.

An average visit would last around 30 mins to 45mins.
Nothing goes beyond an hour because my son would be complaining. The traditional ang pow will be
given and depending on the economy you will give from the standard $2 to $50. The market rate for this year’s ang pow is $5.

We would house hop for the entire day until night fall. By then, my son mini skirt samping would be flung across his body. His songkok will be left forgotten at some unknown auntie’s house and he will be farting ketupat and bandung. So you know what that means, it’s time to go home.



So I guess that’s preety much it. But as I grew older, I am not as psyke as I was before. I realise I have shifted my attention to Ramadan than Hari Raya. I would only go out to visit for a day and then would stay at home and work on my stuff. I would just wear ANY baju kurung I don’t shop for new baju kurung.

But hey, for all of you Muslim readers.. Here’s wishing you guys a Selamat Hari Raya! Forgive me if
I have written any crap that may appear as insulting or emailed you a nasty reply or abandoned your email or marked you as spam. Everybody makes mistakes and oh yes, I do.