Spirit of Ramadhan

Haaa.. tetiba aja jadi glamour semenjak dua menjak nih.. aci-aci Kate Middleton gitu.. :) Keratan akhbar hari ini (24 Julai 2013) cerita-ceriti mengenai Semangat Ramadhan.

Observing Ramadan amid the hectic pace of urban life.

EVERY Ramadan, graphic designer Khairinah Chumari, aka Eryn, will paint the walls of her house. (nih cerita nostalgia  di Melaka..)

Her annual painting ritual is her way of carrying out one of her favourite family Ramadan traditions, albeit on a much smaller scale.

“Back in Malacca, it’s a tradition for us to get together and paint our kampung house every year. The colour of the paint will then be the theme for the Raya celebrations. Our clothes and curtains will match that colour.

“Although it sounds like a hassle to re-paint the entire house every year, my family and I looked forward to it. It’s quite tricky to paint the staircase leading up to the house, but that’s where the fun is.

“I still paint our house in the city once a year, too. Of course, it is a huge difference painting brick walls compared to (the walls of) a traditional kampong house,” said Eryn, 37, laughing at the memories.

She also fondly remembers the old house lit with pelita panjut(traditional bamboo lamps) during Ramadan.

“Today, most of us display lights with tiny bulbs instead of the traditional lamps. It’s just so much easier and less time consuming, I guess,” said Eryn who admits to using them.

The fasting month amid the hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur is much quieter compared to when she was growing up in Malacca. With a job, and a family to juggle and the hectic pace of urban living, Eryn said convenience often dictates how they observe the fasting month.

“When I was a little girl and lived closer to my family, cooking in large woks, sitting down to have huge feasts and performing the terawih prayers together, was a big tradition.

“However, these days, things have changed so much. Family and individuals would rather have their meals at restaurants and cafes instead.

“Most of us just visit the Ramadan bazaar and purchase whatever we can find to break fast and tend to our family needs in the fastest way possible. Businessmen break fast on planes,” said Ezryn. (alamak... sapa pulak Ezryn dan apsal ada tetiba citer businessman pulak? heheheh)

The selection at the Ramadan bazaars has also evolved.

Everyone flocks to the bazaars for traditional delicacies such as kambing golek, itik golek and bubur lambuk that can only be found during Ramadan.

There are however many non- traditional dishes offered these days such as pizza, Japanese cakes and pasta.

Apart from Ramadan bazaars, many families also like to gather and break fast over buffets in hotels.

“My family and I enjoy visiting Ramadan buffets in hotels too. (alamak..aku cerita TAK pergi makan restoren ..lecey .. dan hotel.. membazir..tetiba jadi enjoy pulak.. balun ajeklah.. hahaha ) My husband and I visit the Ramadan bazaars regularly to keep the kids happy as they are big fans of the sweeter foods such as kuih lapis, doughnuts, onde-onde and more,” shared Eryn.

Although some practices have changed, Eryn is determined to stay true to the spirit of the holy month. Her family will make time to be together during the fasting month.

“We might not meet every day during the Ramadan month nowadays, but my husband and I make sure we visit my family back in Malacca at least once during the fasting month.”

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