This is the Malaysian flag and the flag of Johor Bahru. Thought it fitting to take this picture on Maylasia's National Day August 31st!
05 September 2009
04 September 2009
03 September 2009
Hari Raya explanation
In the spirit of this Ramadan season and the anticipation of Hari Raya...I thought spreading a bit of education is in order. The passages below are mostly not my words, but from some of the research I have been doing on this important Muslim time and holiday.
HARI RAYA
In Malaysia, the period of fasting ends when the new moon is sighted on the evening of the last day of Ramadhan. The actual sighting is conducted by state appointed religious officials at various vantage points (usually at hilltops) throughout the country.
If the crescent is sighted, the following day is then declared the first day of Aidilfitri (Also known as Hari Raya), which is also the beginning of the 10th month of the Muslim calendar Syawal.
A time to forgive and forget:
Aidilfitri is celebrated for the whole month of Syawal, but in Malaysia, only the first two days are observed as public holidays. It is widely common however, to see Muslims taking the first week off from work.(Thus our trip to Thailand as Devin's work will be closed)
Urbanites make their annual pilgrimage to their hometowns (this is popularly referred to as balik kampung), to be with parents, relatives and old friends. Thus, cities like Kuala Lumpur get relatively quiet during the festive season of Aidilfitri.
Balik kampung:
The Muslim community ushers in the first day of Aidilfitri by congregating at mosques for morning prayers. Everyone is usually decked out in their traditional best to mark the special occasion. Men are usually dressed in Baju Melayu, while the Baju Kurung, the quintessential Malay attire for females, is the prefered choice for the fairer sex.
Then it's usually breakfast at home with the family, followed by a visit to the cemetery where deceased loved ones are remembered; graves are cleaned and cleared of overgrowth, and prayers are offered to Allah.
This is also a time to forgive and forget past quarrels. Asking for pardon is done in order of seniority. The younger members of a family approach their elders (parents, grandparents etc) to seek forgiveness, to salam (Muslim equivalent of a handshake), then kiss the hands of the older person as a sign of respect.
The usual greeting (that is uttered with the salam) during Aidilfitri is “Selamat Hari Raya”, which means “Wishing you a joyous Hari Raya”.
Children and old folks are given duit raya or gifts of money, in small envelopes. In recent years, many givers have opted for the Chinese practice of putting the money in ang pow packets; however instead of the usual red, the packets are green in colour.
Although the first three days are celebrated on a grander scale, many Muslims hold “open house” throughout the month, where friends and neighbours of other races are invited to join in the celebrations.
Before the big day:
The joy of Hari Raya Puasa actually begins before the first day. A week or so before the big day, excitement mounts as the house is readied for the celebration with new furnishing and decorations.
Children lighting kerosene lamps or 'pelita'
Of particular interest are the last 10 days of Ramadan, where many keep vigil for Lailatul Qadr (The Night of Decree), the night when the Quran was sent down. It is believed that angels descend and shower blessings on that particular night, so homes are brightly decorated with oil lamps or pelita.
Mosques, as well as government and some commercial buildings, are also decorated and brightly lit to mark the auspicious day. The most predominant colour seen in decorations during this season is green which is commonly associated with Islamic items. It is often combined with yellow or gold.
As for motifs, by far the most frequently used symbol is that of the ketupat (rice cakes wrapped in coconut leaves); it is invariably used on Hari Raya greeting cards, hanging decorative items, and as a promotional image for the season.
The ketupat is traditional Hari Raya fare and is often served with beef rendang (beef cooked with spices and coconut milk) and/or satay (grilled meat on a skewer).
Other festive delicacies include lemang (glutinous rice cooked in bamboo tubes), serunding (dessicated coconut fried with chilli) and curry chicken.
HARI RAYA
In Malaysia, the period of fasting ends when the new moon is sighted on the evening of the last day of Ramadhan. The actual sighting is conducted by state appointed religious officials at various vantage points (usually at hilltops) throughout the country.
If the crescent is sighted, the following day is then declared the first day of Aidilfitri (Also known as Hari Raya), which is also the beginning of the 10th month of the Muslim calendar Syawal.
A time to forgive and forget:
Aidilfitri is celebrated for the whole month of Syawal, but in Malaysia, only the first two days are observed as public holidays. It is widely common however, to see Muslims taking the first week off from work.(Thus our trip to Thailand as Devin's work will be closed)
Urbanites make their annual pilgrimage to their hometowns (this is popularly referred to as balik kampung), to be with parents, relatives and old friends. Thus, cities like Kuala Lumpur get relatively quiet during the festive season of Aidilfitri.
Balik kampung:
The Muslim community ushers in the first day of Aidilfitri by congregating at mosques for morning prayers. Everyone is usually decked out in their traditional best to mark the special occasion. Men are usually dressed in Baju Melayu, while the Baju Kurung, the quintessential Malay attire for females, is the prefered choice for the fairer sex.
Then it's usually breakfast at home with the family, followed by a visit to the cemetery where deceased loved ones are remembered; graves are cleaned and cleared of overgrowth, and prayers are offered to Allah.
This is also a time to forgive and forget past quarrels. Asking for pardon is done in order of seniority. The younger members of a family approach their elders (parents, grandparents etc) to seek forgiveness, to salam (Muslim equivalent of a handshake), then kiss the hands of the older person as a sign of respect.
The usual greeting (that is uttered with the salam) during Aidilfitri is “Selamat Hari Raya”, which means “Wishing you a joyous Hari Raya”.
Children and old folks are given duit raya or gifts of money, in small envelopes. In recent years, many givers have opted for the Chinese practice of putting the money in ang pow packets; however instead of the usual red, the packets are green in colour.
Although the first three days are celebrated on a grander scale, many Muslims hold “open house” throughout the month, where friends and neighbours of other races are invited to join in the celebrations.
Before the big day:
The joy of Hari Raya Puasa actually begins before the first day. A week or so before the big day, excitement mounts as the house is readied for the celebration with new furnishing and decorations.
Children lighting kerosene lamps or 'pelita'
Of particular interest are the last 10 days of Ramadan, where many keep vigil for Lailatul Qadr (The Night of Decree), the night when the Quran was sent down. It is believed that angels descend and shower blessings on that particular night, so homes are brightly decorated with oil lamps or pelita.
Mosques, as well as government and some commercial buildings, are also decorated and brightly lit to mark the auspicious day. The most predominant colour seen in decorations during this season is green which is commonly associated with Islamic items. It is often combined with yellow or gold.
As for motifs, by far the most frequently used symbol is that of the ketupat (rice cakes wrapped in coconut leaves); it is invariably used on Hari Raya greeting cards, hanging decorative items, and as a promotional image for the season.
The ketupat is traditional Hari Raya fare and is often served with beef rendang (beef cooked with spices and coconut milk) and/or satay (grilled meat on a skewer).
Other festive delicacies include lemang (glutinous rice cooked in bamboo tubes), serunding (dessicated coconut fried with chilli) and curry chicken.
02 September 2009
cool breeze
Yesterday was like nothing I have experienced while being here. We woke to rain...and had steady rain all day long. Most days it will rain at some point, but continuous rain was a new thing.I did not mind it at all. I guess when you know that the sun will shine soon and then continue to shine every day- you do not worry about rain. Instead you welcome it. As someone who lives in the Pacific NW...when it rains I often wonder if we will be in the rain for 18 days straight. Not here! The sun comes back again and again and again. Anyway, during the afternoon the most wonderful cool breeze began. Now, first you have to understand how humid it is here to realize a cool breeze is a little bit of heaven. I had never felt the air with such a lack of humidity. I opened all of our sliding glass doors...all three of them. The aircon was off and the fresh, cool breeze was blowing the curtains and filling our apartment with delight! Nevi and I were amazed. We kept the doors open until we saw the first mosquito at the beginning of dusk.Then to my dismay, the doors had to be closed. But what an appreciated experience- never thought I would appreciate a change in weather so much. Today- the sun is back, the haze is here with the humidity and we are back to our daily living- windows closed, but glad to live in a tropical place.
01 September 2009
Gecko friend
The other evening, I went into our bathroom and look who was visiting! This gecko is only about 3-4 inches long, and they are as sweet as can be- no harm at all. But of course always a surprise when you look in the shower and there is a lizard. We just let him be and god only knows where he is now!
Now outside on the golf course is a different story. That is where the Monitor Lizards live and they look like crocodiles. They are scared of humans- so again no worry or bother, but they do give a bit more of a startle. The other week, Nevi and Hannah were swimming in the pool and a monitor lizard jumped in too. That was exciting. Nevi has not really been so sure of that pool since- but is getting over it. I am fine with the big guys as long as I am not too close. But please please please- no snakes!
Nevi & Tiara
This is Tiara she is 4 and lives here at Pulai Springs with us. Her Mom, Dinah is from Singapore and her Dad, Peter is Australian. Peter is the head of Golf here. Tiara is spit fire and saucey. She likes to have her way- then again who doesn't!
heartbreaking really
We had a long weekend here in Malaysia due to yesterday being National Day. Basically the same as the US 4th of July. 52 years ago Malaysia gained her independence. So with all of us off for three days we did some fun exploring. We decided to go to the Danga Bay Petting Zoo in Johor Bahru downtown. We had been to the Singapore Zoo a few weeks ago and were amazed and so impressed. Well, we got here to the local zoo...and oh my my heart broke in thousands of pieces. There were lots of animals: monkeys, snakes, lizards, birds, bears, tigers, lion, but the problem was they were all kept in very small metal cages. Oh my the place smelled of urine...and these poor wild animals were in cages with no vegetation...no soft place to lay down...devastating. I was not sure how Nevi would handle this experience...I think I was more traumatized than she- she was not impressed and said this place was not fun...but I was angry, appalled, worried. No one should treat animals this way. Now of course they were well fed it seemed...but the cages oh my. I really do not love zoo's anyway. Anyone who has ever travelled or lived in Africa and witnessed the majesty of animals in their natural environment usually does not care for zoos. But the Singapore Zoo was so impressive- no cages, animals roaming in natural spaces. But this place- oh my heart. I was glad on one hand I went cause maybe our entrance fee might make a difference for one of those sweet animals...and yet I will never return and will tell others around here not to go. In fact, I want to call and report the conditions... but who do you call...who would listen...? Anyway, not a fun filled family outing as we had planned. Alas, part of our education and another growth experience. In the pictures you wil see some Malaysian Sun Bears, a tiny baby Tiger and a Gibbon monkey.
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