A Festive Galore After Ramadhan

Malaysia is the culmination of a multi-faceted culture adorned with colourful festivals and celebrations. Malaysians have the luxury to embrace each and every culture across the world all in one country. Hari Raya Aidilfitri is one of the largest Muslim celebrations celebrated after Ramadhan, the fasting month. According to the Gregorian calendar, the Hari Raya Puasa celebration ending on the last week of June this year is also a public holiday celebrated nationwide regardless of race and belief.

During Ramadhan, the night market bazaars are usually the centre of a colourful celebration that includes local delicacies, festive cookies, clothing and religious items. These markets signify the month of preparation before Hari Raya Aidilfitri as people go about their merry business shopping for ingredients, spices, and good bargains.

Satay

Skewered and marinated barbecued meat served with peanut sauce and rice cake which is also called ketupat.

Rendang

Beef or chicken cooked in thick spiced gravy and coconut milk.

Ketupat

Square-shaped rice cake wrapped in a weaved diamond-shaped pouch and cooked in a coconut.

Pelita

Bite-sized traditional layered jelly-like dessert with a layer of coconut cream jelly and a layer of water chestnut jelly.

Lemang

Glutinous rice cooked with coconut milk inside bamboo segments, usually served with rendang, serunding or curry.

Serunding

Beef or chicken floss

If you are up for more social events, be sure to find out about the open houses organised by the state government. The open house concept is a long-standing tradition that shows the authenticity of Malaysian hospitality. A Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house is incomplete without traditional Malay food and desserts. Be sure to check out the food mentioned above.

Another tradition here is elders giving out money in little green packets to their children and young visitors. The handing out of the money, commonly referred to as duit raya, is a cultural practice and is a point of great excitement for many children. If you are traveling during the Raya, book your journey and accommodation way ahead in time to make sure they are still available.

Comments

Never Enough of Little India

Welcome to the streets of George Town. Every issue, we bring you on a vicarious tour of the heritage trails of Penang highlighting its history, attractions and more! Made up of several lanes boxed in by Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, Lebuh Gereja (Church Street), Lebuh Pantai (Beach Street) and Lebuh Chulia (Chulia Street), Little India is a mesmerizing maze of wonders. Back in colonial times, Lebuh Chulia was allotted to the Indian migrant settlers who took up a variety of professions as agricultural labourers, textile merchants, money-lenders, jewellers and spice traders. Despite being around for generations, this pre-war cocoon of culture only received its ethnic distinction some years back as recognition for its value as living history. A day will not be sufficient to cover the plethora of shops, restaurants, sights and sounds. Not to mention all the delicious aromas from the variety of Indian cuisines available here from the common mamak to the more exclusive...

Sunrise & Sunset Beaches of Penang

Penang beaches are divided into two large pools of secluded beaches without amenities and popular easy-to-access beaches that provide all the fun activities. Dotted along Batu Ferringhi’s coasts and within minutes walk from the beachfront resorts and holiday apartments are Tanjung Bungah and Batu Ferringhi that draw a steady crowd of tourists and locals throughout the year. With downtown Georgetown just 30-minute drive away, these locales are situated along the northern coastline of Penang. Here, you can choose between an iced-cold cocktail or activities such as parasailing, jet skiing, and windsurfing. For those who love a hike, it is all worthwhile to check out some of the beaches located within the circumference of Penang National Park. Monkey Beach, Pantai Kerachut and Teluk Kampi may well be some of the quietest beaches on the island. While Pantai Kerachut boasts as the most remote beach on the island, it also serves as a nesting ground for green turtles, hawksbill tur...

Never Enough of Air Itam

If you are keen to explore off the beaten tracks of old Penang and survey the activities of the local Penangites, Air Itam may just be one of the best choices we have for you in this issue. Air Itam, an old suburbia of Penang, is nestled within the central valleys of Penang Island and is approximately 7 km southwest of George Town. Geographically, its location between Batu Lanchang Hill, Bukit Penara and Penang Hill is highly suitable for agricultural ever since the 18th century. To this day, vegetables and fruits are grown at the hills surrounding this valley where fresh produce are then brought to the wet markets around the island. Funicular Train, Penang Hill ©Penang Hill Air Itam, meaning black water in Malay, got its name from the murky waters of the Air Itam River. Since the arrival of British East India Company led by Captain Francis Light, the exploration to revitalise the area for agriculture and other sustainable efforts have brought more families and labourers inland...

iNPENANG

Search This Blog