| Bahyiah Bakir |
AS the nation celebrates Hari Raya Aidilfitri, families and friends are busy seeking forgiveness from one another, visiting cemeteries, praying at mosques and visiting the homes of relatives and friends. This is the time for celebration, forgiveness and feasting.
On the first morning of Hari Raya, the men perform mass prayers at the mosque, while children kneel before their elders to ask for forgiveness.
Children are usually given ‘duit raya’, or gifts of money, in green packets.
The first three days of the festivities are usually spent catching up with family and close relatives. Many hold open houses throughout the month, where friends and neighbours of different races and backgrounds are invited to share in the conversation and laughter, and served with an assortment of biscuits, cakes and traditional delicacies.
‘Ketupat’, or rice dumpling, is one of the local delicacies prepared during the festive season, served together with beef rendang (beef cooked with coconut milk and spices) and ‘satay’ (skewered grilled meat, chicken or lamb). Meanwhile, ‘Kek Batik’ and ‘Kek Roll Tapak Kuda’ desserts can be found in almost every household.
A child seeking forgiveness from the elderly
Enjoying the festive spirit over cakes and conversations
Celebrants are all smiles for the camera
Families and friends gather round for a photo. – PHOTOS: BAHYIAH BAKIR
During the festivities, families are dressed in the traditional Malay attire of ‘Baju Melayu’ for men and ‘Baju Kurung’ for women. By wearing matching designs or colours, people are easily able to identify a group as members of the same family.
Well-wishes and greetings of ‘Selamat Hari Raya’ are heard throughout the entire day, from people of all ages and walks of life.
And Hari Raya would hardly be complete without posing for group photos among relatives and family members.
Whether taken by smartphone camera in casual settings or as a formal portrait in a photographers’ studio, family gatherings are central to Hari Raya Aidilfitri, one of the most special and moving occasions in the annual calendar.
The post Raya, a time for forgiveness, food and tradition appeared first on Borneo Bulletin Online.