Ketupat, Rendang, Pelita (kerosene bamboo lamp) are among other things which are synonymous with Hari Raya festival and 'Selamat Hari Raya' greeting cards are no exception. So far the most frequently used symbol is that of the ketupat (rice cakes wrapped in coconut leaves); it is often used on Hari Raya greeting cards, hanging decorative items, and as a promotional image for the season.
The Selamat Hari Raya greeting (shown above) is decorated with 'Lemang' (rice baked in bamboo) and Pelita. Lemang is among the most famous malay cuisine that is served during Hari Raya which is cooked in a hallowed bamboo stick lined with banana leaf to prevent the rice sticking to the bamboo. Lemang is often served with ketupat (rice cooked in packets made from fresh coconut leaves) and rendang (beef cooked in coconut milk and spices). Ops! did I forget mention about the 'Pelita'. All right, several days before Hari Raya it is a long-standing tradition for malay houses to be lighted with Pelita (traditional kerosene bamboo lamps), particularly on the 27th night of Ramadhan. It is said that shower blessings on that particular night and and also it is believed that the purpose of lighting the oil lamps is to attract the angles and spirits to descend to people's home during the night of Lailatul Qadar. They come down in great numbers with the blessings and mercy of Allah. They visit the believers worshipping Allah whether they are reciting Quran, making dhikr (remembrance) or performing prayer.
Today, the oil lamps are lite solely for decorative purpose so that your house, mosques as well as government and commercial buildings look pretty and attractive. Moreover, electricity provide us with modern light and colorful neon replacing those traditional kerosene bamboo lamps.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
SELAMAT HARI RAYA
Ketupat, Rendang, Pelita (kerosene bamboo lamp) are among other things which are synonymous with Hari Raya festival and 'Selamat Hari Raya' greeting cards are no exception. So far the most frequently used symbol is that of the ketupat (rice cakes wrapped in coconut leaves); it is often used on Hari Raya greeting cards, hanging decorative items, and as a promotional image for the season.
The Selamat Hari Raya greeting (shown above) is decorated with 'Lemang' (rice baked in bamboo) and Pelita. Lemang is among the most famous malay cuisine that is served during Hari Raya which is cooked in a hallowed bamboo stick lined with banana leaf to prevent the rice sticking to the bamboo. Lemang is often served with ketupat (rice cooked in packets made from fresh coconut leaves) and rendang (beef cooked in coconut milk and spices). Ops! did I forget mention about the 'Pelita'. All right, several days before Hari Raya it is a long-standing tradition for malay houses to be lighted with Pelita (traditional kerosene bamboo lamps), particularly on the 27th night of Ramadhan. It is said that shower blessings on that particular night and and also it is believed that the purpose of lighting the oil lamps is to attract the angles and spirits to descend to people's home during the night of Lailatul Qadar. They come down in great numbers with the blessings and mercy of Allah. They visit the believers worshipping Allah whether they are reciting Quran, making dhikr (remembrance) or performing prayer.
Today, the oil lamps are lite solely for decorative purpose so that your house, mosques as well as government and commercial buildings look pretty and attractive. Moreover, electricity provide us with modern light and colorful neon replacing those traditional kerosene bamboo lamps.
