MP praises Kedayan community for upholding ‘Makan Tahun’ tradition
MIRI: Members of the Kedayan community here still observe their ‘ Makan Tahun’ tradition, even in today’s modern living.
On Sunday morning, more the 500 Kedayans from Kampung Satap in Bekenu came in full force for the ‘gotong-royong’ (work party) to prepare for the yearly thanksgiving feast late afternoon.
Sibuti MP Ahmad Lai Bujang, who had been invited by the villagers to the ‘ Makan Tahun’, was happy to see that the community was still observing this tradition.
According to him, the Kedayans would hold this feast after the rice harvesting season, which usually runs between May and June.
He also observed that apart from serving guests with traditional cuisines, those hosting the event would also include ‘ tahlil’ and ‘doa selamat’ sessions in remembrance of the dearly departed.
At yesterday’s ‘gotong-royong’, Ahmad Lai announced some funds from his Minor Rural Project ( MRP) grant slated for the organisation of the ‘Makan Tahun’ event.
“Through ‘Makan Tahun’, the spirit of ‘gotong-royong’ can be clearly seen among the members of the community. Each and every one of them comes together and contributes rice, raw meat and many other items for the feast.”
Ahmad Lai also highlighted a must-have dish that is peculiar to the Kedayans – dollops of glutinous rice wrapped in ‘Daun Irek’ (a type of leaf) and then steamed before they are served during the feast.