Suburban neighbourhood strives to uphold ‘bertuntong’
KUCHING: Residents of a suburban neighbourhood in Petra Jaya here have been going all out to uphold the ‘bertuntong’ tradition, while still observing Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri under the new norms.
Traditionally, ‘bertuntong’ involves decorating houses and the compounds, residential streets and arches, community halls, surau or mosque, or even community parks, with up to hundreds of ‘pelita’ (traditional oil lamps).
Nowadays, the usage of flickering neon and LED lights is much more convenient.
In this respect, Cpl (Rtd) Samsudi Haderan is proud to see that fellow residents of Taman Gita Jaya and Taman Kenanga in Kampung Pinang Jawa here are on board with him in preserving this piece of Sarawak Malay heritage.
“This will be our second consecutive Hari Raya being celebrated amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, and the celebration will be quite subdued.
“That is why we are doing this – to add festivities to Ramadan and Hari Raya as we observe these occasions under the new norms.
“It also reinforces the spirit of neighbourliness among the residents here. Most encouraging of all, our neighbourhood youths are also very keen on this activity, which they have been a part of from the beginning,” Samsudi, who is the appointed ‘Ketua Kaum’ (neighbourhood chief) of Taman Gita Jaya and Taman Kenanga, told The Borneo Post here.
Traditionally, ‘bertuntong’ kicks off on the eve of Ramadan 26 and continues on until the seventh night of the Syawal month, namely the seventh day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Samsudi, 50, said following an agreement reached during a discussion conducted via their WhatsApp group chat, the residents decided to chip in to purchase 40 stands of ‘pelita’ and also the fuel.
The retired corporal was more than happy to be in charge of setting up the ‘pelita’ at their designated spots along the housing lanes.
The precise coordination, the timeliness and the discipline involved fondly reminds him of his days in the Armed Forces, he said.
“The fully-fuelled ‘pelita’ must be arranged starting at 5.30pm and lit at 6.30pm, giving us ample time to return home for ‘buka puasa’ (break of fast).
“Then at midnight, all the ‘pelita’ stands must be gathered and stored, ready for use the next day.
“As happy as I am with this routine, what makes it even more meaningful is the participation of the neighbours, especially the youths, who willingly do it without the need to arrange for any schedule,” he enthused.
However, this activity had not been without its share of challenges.
“The most obvious challenge is the weather. There were times when the rain would just come pouring down after we had set up all the ‘pelita’, forcing us to rush out and collect all the lamps and leaving us soaking wet,” laughed Samsudi, whose house is at Lorong 1D of Jalan Bunga Raja in Taman Gita Jaya.
Nevertheless, he was proud that his neighbours had been very supportive of this initiative and going forward, he hoped that ‘bertuntong’ would remain this
This will be our second consecutive Hari Raya being celebrated amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, and the celebration will be quite subdued.
Cpl (Rtd) Samsudi Haderan
neighbourhood’s tradition.
“We also hope that our area’s ADUN (elected representatives) would truly support this initiative, either through some small allocations or just by coming down to our neighbourhood to see this illuminating spectacle.
“To my neighbours and fellow residents, I just cannot thank them enough, especially the youths of this neighbourhood,” he added.