Balik kampung~
Oh Oh Oh balik kampung~
Oh, don’t we all just love listening to the nostalgic tunes of ‘balik kampung’ songs permeating the air? I know I do!
Like any festive season, music plays a massive part with setting the mood.
And just like it always does, the classic ‘Suasana Hari Raya’ song by Anuar Zain & Elina, undoubtedly my all-time favourite Raya song, triggers a familiar melancholia. I remember smiling to myself and silently humming along, while reminiscing my fondest childhood memories of Ramadan and Raya—at a time when the festive season was a much-awaited affair, especially for a kid.
Ramadan and Raya to someone born in the ‘90s and earlier would always come with a tinge of nostalgia for the what-it-used-to-be-like.
And, I can assure you (not trying to be biased or anything) that the ‘90s kids have experienced unforgettable Ramadan and Raya moments—slaying in the kitchen for Iftar sessions, performing the last day of Ramadan’s Taraweeh prayers, surviving last-minute Raya preparations, watching fireworks on the eve of Hari Raya, wearing matching ‘baju’ Raya with the fambam, filling our tummies with festive delicacies, and the list goes on.
Raise your hand if you are a ‘90s kid!
So dear readers, time to take a trip down memory lane with me and let me share with you my top 3 fondest Ramadan and Raya moments that I still cherish until today—and I bet most of you can relate to these situations during the festive season.
1. Chaotic Shower Queues
Raya mornings in my household have always been chaotic. And when I say “chaotic”, what I really mean to say is “turning the whole house upside down while preparing to welcome Raya”. And that is just the morning…
I have to be honest, this particular moment during Hari Raya has always been bittersweet for me because I have never been a morning person, but it surely did create an unforgettable childhood memory.
Here how it all went down: Every time, just when I was about to dream of something amazing, there goes the chickens clucking in the morning to wake the whole ‘kampung’ up. Oh, my beauty sleep! And the “fun” did not stop there!
So, thanks to our friendly neighbourhood chickens, the whole family woke up really early with eyes barely open and towels over our heads just for a chance to have a “nice” shower. “Nice” was not the case here.
Since there were more than 15 people in the house, we had to queue up right in front of the bathroom to wait for our turn to shower. And I must add, these could take hours. If you missed your turn, you would have to go to the back of the line.
And let me tell you this: There were a lot of crying, hair-pulling, and sibling/cousin fights happening before the actual shower scene.
2. “Nak Duit Raya” from House to House
I bet you would agree with me that this is THE moment most kids will look forward to during Hari Raya!
Our parents used to style us in the cutest ‘baju’ Raya outfits and pair them with small bags so that we can keep our ‘duit’ Raya safely in them (before we pass all of it back to them).
Back then, doors were always opened for Raya visits as kids got to drop by their neighbours’ houses and collect ‘duit’ Raya from them.
We would literally jump up and down with excitement every time we get our hands on a Raya packet. The amount of money did not matter to us; as long as it was ‘duit’ Raya, we were happy. I still remember how RM1 was already A LOT at that time!
3. Cooking Up a Storm for Iftar & Raya
Most of my family members would gather at our grandmother’s house during the last weekend or on the last day of Ramadan.
So, for those who have arrived earlier than the rest, the aunties were usually in-charge of preparing food for berbuka, while the youngsters helped out our grandmother prepare the traditional delicacies like ketupat, tepung talam, lompat tikam, dodol, semperit, and so much more.
What I love the most about this moment was how we used to cook most of our Ramadan and Raya menu right on top of a ‘dapur arang’, instead of the modern stove we use today.
From the cooking tips that have been passed down to us from our grandmother, to the secret ingredient that we use in our recipes (read: Santan Coconut Milk from S&P), the memories made through preparing food together as a family live forever in my heart.
It is still fresh in my memory of how my mum would always ask me to keep some of the meals we cook in a tiffin to be given to our relatives and neighbours. And I am not joking, we have endless stacks of tiffins in the kitchen!
And what made it even more special was that our relatives and neighbours did the same thing as well!
We would always share the meals that we were having for the day with others during Iftar. In short: It was more like a potluck session, Ramadan and Raya-style.
And I must say, the food tasted even more delicious when served inside these colourful and beautifully designed tiffins.
Back in the day, I did not quite understand why we needed tiffins, but now that I am mum, I need to have at least 5 sets of tiffins at home!
Be it for daily use or for a special occasion, my sia (that is how Kedahans called it) always evokes a special memory for me and the entire family.
I know I am not the only one. Just have a look at how these mums reminisce their #nostalgiamangkuktingkat memories back in the days before food deliveries were introduced.
Time to Grab this Tiffin!
Aren’t those tiffins too pretty not to be yours? Use this opportunity to be among the 50 lucky winners to get your very own tiffin and flaunt it during your Iftar sessions and Raya open houses.
Uish, cantiknya sia hampa! Beli mana? Share la dengan kami,
Be prepared to hear these compliments from all those watchful eyes that come to visit your house when you WIN the tiffins by joining the contest organised by S&P Santan.
Just follow the 3 simple steps and stand the chance to WIN an exclusive Tiffin Set from S&P Santan!
Just Shake, Twist & Pour with S&P Santan
By the way, these mums are also using Santan Coconut Milk from S&P in some of their dishes. Yummms!
Santan Coconut Milk from S&P is 100% natural, dairy, and cholesterol-free with no added colouring, preservatives, or any artificial flavouring.
The Shake, Twist, and Pour packaging is also convenient, versatile, and ensures no spills.
You just have to shake, twist the cap, and pour the coconut milk from the pack and into your dish.
Simply close back the cap and keep the remaining coconut milk in the refrigerator to maintain its hygiene.
Despite the never-ending pandemic, let’s celebrate Ramadan and Raya season by keeping the joyous tradition alive (in the new normal), even from afar.
Do not forget to join the #nostalgiamangkuktingkat contest to WIN your very own beautiful tiffin with S&P Santan that will end on the 12th of May 2021.
For more information, head over to the contest landing page and visit S&P Santan’s official website, Facebook, and Instagram to get the most out of your Ramadan and Raya recipes.