From tradition to common love

As ulu kids we only heard firecrackers once a year since the late 50s into the 60s near our longhouse by the jungle edge.

That was when Ah Chik and Seng Kee, our two Chinese shopkeepers did the empayang (that was the term they used to mean a prayer), perhaps during Chinese New Year, an item so remote in our minds then. Both with respective Iban spouse, the two had separate retail shops by the river about 60 metres from our Kedap longhouse in Saratok, then reachable by the pom-pom motor launch from town — and its only stop in Melupa, a Krian tributary.

Our group of ignorant and silly kids would immediately rush to their premises to enjoy the spectacle that would last a few minutes. Sing Kee (whom I met later in Bintangor circa 1980) was married to my dad’s cousin and would hand over some biscuits to me to be shared with the others. That was actually the added attraction to the firecrackers that we then termed as bedil keretas (literally translated as ‘paper cannon’).

For the record, a firecracker is a small explosive device primarily designed to produce a large amount of noise, especially in the form of a loud bang; any visual effect is incidental to this goal. Firecrackers, along with fireworks, originated in China, a dictionary says.

Now that we are no longer ignorant longhouse kids, we know that bedil keretas are not just for empayang (perhaps derived from the Malay term sembahyang) or prayers but are essential items for the Chinese during Chinese New Year. And due to assimilation of culture in our Malaysian plural society and strong communal bonding, the act of lighting firecrackers has transcended racial boundary — it has become a passion and bonding entity for all Malaysians.

For example, during the recent Aidilfitri celebration here in Kuching, there was a typical testament of this in Metrocity Matang but much to the chagrin of those owning cars with sensitive sensory accessories whose alarms were triggered by the loud noises. I heard shouting sounds, thereby causing a pause in the firecrackers but only for a short moment.

Despite lighting firecrackers being basically a Chinese culture and tradition, our plural society really enjoys the act and the spectacle. People don’t mind spending on it during most festive seasons, be they Gawai Dayak, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Diwali, Thaipusam, Hari Raya Korban (or Aidiladha) or Christmas. I was quite surprised to find out – see rather – that Iban folk celebrating a Gawai Antu in a Julau longhouse circa 1990, light firecrackers in conjunction with their nyelai ranyai as an official conclusion to what is supposed to be Iban’s grandest festival.

Suffering the most during the firecrackers’ moment are the cats and dogs. For once we can see the dogs and cats with their tails in between their limbs. They truly unite in fear it seems. During Gawai Dayak eve we would see these domesticated animals hiding in odd places when firecrackers are let off outside the longhouse.

During my Brunei Darussalam stint, I had the opportunity to visit an Iban longhouse in Temburong, the fourth district in the sultanate. This was during a special traditional festival called Gawai Kenyalang (Hornbill Festival), held at Pehin Empading longhouse.

Empading was then the sole Iban with ‘Pehin’ title. I wasn’t surprised any more when the lighting of firecrackers attracted everyone’s attention as it marked the commencement of the festival — it only reminded me that Julau Iban and their Temburong counterparts shared a common liking for firecrackers during Iban traditional fests.

But I am not taken aback if other Iban longhouse festivals’ celebrators elsewhere share similar trait.

In the sultanate, especially on the evening of Sultan Bolkiah’s birthday, there is a special firecrackers and fireworks display from Istana Nurul Iman in BSB that attracts thousands of spectators who would line up along the Beribi Road nearby the Sultan’s main palace that he shares with his consort Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha. I was privileged to witness such unique and grand spectacle for a number of years.

My Brunei Malay friend, who had a Pengiran title, also opened his ‘Purih Baik Food Centre’ by lighting firecrackers. He did so after seeking advice from his Chinese friends who were around to support him during the event (food outlet launching ceremony) in Bandar Seri Begawan.

Perhaps the most remarkable firecracker moment I experienced in Kuching was during CNY eve of 1986 whereby the area around then Rumah Dayak was momentarily blanketed by smoke after a lengthy display thereabout.