Hari Raya At The Curve 2010

Malay kampung house on stilts at The Curve in conjunction with Hari Raya celebrations
Malay kampung house on stilts at The Curve in conjunction with Hari Raya celebrations.

The Curve constructed a life-size kampung stilt house at the Centre Court in conjunction with Ramadan and Aidil Fitri celebrations. To add autheticity to the model, it was furnished with curtains and other typical items found in and around such houses.

There was a grandfather clock hanging on the wall. Bamboo torches were affixed to the fence to welcome Syawal. A Vespa scooter was parked outside the house while a classic Volvo was shaded under a garage. Green plants were aplenty. It almost felt like I was in a kampung during Hari Raya.

Hari Raya At 1 Utama 2010

Scarecrow in padi field at 1 Utama
Scarecrow in padi field at 1 Utama in conjunction with Ramadan and Aidil Fitri.

When it comes to décor for the major festivals in Malaysia, shopping malls usually go all out to deck their premises to the fullest to attract shoppers. It has become a tradition for most of the major malls to recreate a rustic atmosphere reminiscent of days gone by.

Padi field at 1 Utama
Padi field showcasing 4 stages of rice cultivation.

Wuan and I always look forward to the festive seasons at 1 Utama Shopping Centre with its no-expense spared décor. When we went there last weekend, we were not disappointed. The Oval was teeming with shoppers snapping away at the Ramadan and Aidil Fitri decorations.

Bubu - traditional fish trap made from bamboo
Bubu – traditional fish trap made from bamboo.

The area was transformed into a rustic scene resplendent with thatched roofed kampung huts offering a variety of traditional cookies and handicrafts. The centrepiece showcased the four stages of rice cultivation replete with live padi plants flourishing in a muddy field.

Fresh Dates Of Ramadan

Fresh red dates (huluwa dates) and yellow dates (barhi dates)
Fresh red dates (huluwa dates) and yellow dates (barhi dates).

The highlight of the holy month of Ramadan for non-Muslims must surely be the mind-boggling array of delicacies for breaking fast at the bazaars. I have yet to visit one but I know what I like about Ramadan. It is neither the ayam golek, bubur lambuk nor the mouth-watering kuihs though.

I like the fresh dates from the Middle East most. They are available only during Ramadan. I had some last years and liked them very much. There are two varieties – red (huluwa dates) and yellow (barhi dates). Wuan bought some for me from the fruit stall near her work place last week. The huluwa dates are elongated while the barhi dates have a rather roundish shape. Both are astringent when they are unripe.

The huluwa dates ripen quicker. Their skin turns dark red, almost brownish, and becomes wrinkled and soft. The wrinkled ones I had smelt fermented and were unsavoury. I am not sure if they were rotten. On the other hand, the barhi dates ripen very slowly. The skin turns a darker shade as they ripen. The firm and unripe ones were slightly astringent and slightly sweet at the same time. I like the crunchiness as well. Hmm, I better stock up on the barhi dates before the supply runs out at the end of Ramadan.