KUALA LUMPUR – The announcement that Hari Raya Aidilfitri would start a day earlier sparked a mad scramble among thousands of Muslims as they prepared their homes to welcome visitors for the first time in two years since the Covid-19 pandemic struck.
Many took to social media to complain that they suddenly had no time to get things in order after the Keeper of the Ruler’s Seal, Tan Sri Syed Danial Syed Ahmad, declared today as the first day of Aidilfitri and not tomorrow as expected earlier.
But the family of Tabri Mohd Aris was more than ready.
Tabri and his family had already begun preparations towards the end of the Ramadan fasting month, not only to welcome relatives coming back to their village at Kg Endah in Banting, but also to revive the “Munjung” tradition of Malaysia’s Javanese community.
The tradition involves exchanging cooked food between relatives and neighbours, and the lifting of restrictions on public gatherings marks a meaningful return of Aidilfitri festivities for Tabri and his family.
The Vibes photographer, AZIM RAHMAN, spent some time with Tabri and his family to snap shots of their preparations. - The Vibes, May 2, 2022
Tabri family members help each other clean up their kampung house. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes pic, May 2, 2022
After two years of muted celebrations due to the pandemic, this Aidilfitri celebration is set to be a lot livelier. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes pic, May 2, 2022
Ketupat weaving is a tradition inherited and much treasured by the Malays. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes pic, May 2, 2022
Ketupat, a must-try delicacy, is traditionally served during Hari Raya celebrations. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes pic, May 2, 2022
Fresh meat sold before Hari Raya gets a solid reception from the villagers. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes pic, May 2, 2022
Noraini Ahmad Supan boils ketupat in preparation for Hari Raya Aidilfitri. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes pic, May 2, 2022
The Tabri family engages in the time-honoured Aidilfitri tradition of installing kerosene lamps. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes pic, May 2, 2022
Afiq Ibtisam Tabri helps his family install kerosene lamps to light up the coming festivities. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes pic, May 2, 2022
Kerosene is poured into the festive lamps as fuel. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes pic, May 2, 2022
Kerosene lamps are a common sight throughout the village when Hari Raya arrives, enlivening the atmosphere. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes pic, May 2, 2022
Brimming with excitement and wonder, children in the village are most eager to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri this year. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes pic, May 2, 2022
For the Tabri family, this Hari Raya is especially meaningful as they have been unable to celebrate the occasion properly in the past two years due to Covid-19 restrictions. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes pic, May 2, 2022
.png)
