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Hari
Raya as a Kid
11 OCT 07
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 guy pushing 30, 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.
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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.. (Man 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 apartment
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. I
would go with my Dad to the masjid to pray but I would spend most
of the sermon time drooling on his lap. By the time we get home,
Dad would give his once a year, why-are-you-all-not-ready-yet
speech to my Mum and sisters. 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:)
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Curtain
wrestling at 3am |
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When
I was a kid, my parents have the knack to buy a new set of baju
kurung for all of us. Even though our old baju kurung is still
wearable, my parents have a “all-new” policy. And
they would insist I wear my outfit with a samping. In case you
guys do not 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 I look good.
Give me a keris and I’ll make a good Hang Bunny. |
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Not
Bad eh?
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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 sister will then go next, and my turn comes next and
my little sister will go last. 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 a good
boy. 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 good things. My parents would then reply
by saying “Don’t fight with your sisters!”
And then proceed to a hug. By now, my Mum and sisters would
start crying.. hard enough to express their emotions and short
enough not to ruin their make up.
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now practically 90% of all Malay Muslim would head to the streets
and occupy every taxi, MRT, and bus because we need to 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 (they have
the classic Chitty chitty Bang Bang this year. Yup, you heard me
right. Chitty chitty Bang Bang.. during Hari Raya! Looks like mediacorp
can read minds!) while we gulp down glasses of Sarsi and Orange,
eat pineapple tarts as our parents engage in private conversations.
Usually I will be complimented
on how tall I have grown and they would reminisce the stuff I
did or say when I was a toddler. An average visit would last around
30 mins to 45mins. Nothing goes beyond an hour because I would
be complaining. The traditional ang pow will be given and depending
on the economy you get from the standard $2 to $50. The market
rate for this year’s ang pow is $1.37.
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We would house hop for the
entire day until night fall. By then, my mini skirt samping would
be flung across my body. My songkok will be left forgotten at
some unknown auntie’s house and I will be farting ketupat
and bandung. So you know what that means, it’s time to go
home.
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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 my Mum buy and no, I still don’t
shop for my own. They can surprise me with a cheap polka dot pyjamas,
heck, I’ll wear it. No samping? A small towel will do. No
keris? I’ll buy those plastic water guns. I guess I’ll
get back into the Hari Raya mood perhaps, when I have kids, God
willing.
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. Hey even the Evil
Bunny makes mistakes and oh yes,
Maaf
Zahir dan Batin:)
Evil Bunny! |
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