SEBUYAU: Celebrating Hari Raya in your hometown feels more festive than celebrating it in the city.
These are the statements made by five individuals from Sebuyau when met with recently.
Saloma Morni, 52, who is a civil worker from Kampung Masjid Sebuyau explained that when Hari Raya is around the corner, the atmosphere becomes more festive.
“In the city, the atmosphere feels very different than your hometown because in my ‘kampung’, you get more of that sense of community and togetherness and your relatives are also nearby.
“Also, since everyone stays nearer to each other, it’s easier to visit each other as sometimes we can just walk to each other’s houses,” she said with a smile on her face.
She also revealed that her siblings also felt the same way as she is only one who is still living in her hometown; the rest have their own families and have settled in the city.
“I’m not saying that celebrating Hari Raya in the city is less cheerful, it’s just that for me, I prefer to celebrate it here with my family,” said the mother of one.
Saloma added that all her siblings will also be returning home to celebrate Hari Raya there this year.
“My whole family will be here for Raya, which is good because our mother isn’t doing so well in terms of her health,” she said, adding that the budget for this year’s celebration is quite average.
Saadah Narawi, 54, who is a farmer said that it’s more convenient to go visiting family and friends in her village and it has a more laidback feel to it.
“Here we don’t have to worry about transportation as most of us just walk because everyone’s houses are just nearby; it’s very festive to go visiting together.
Saadah, who is from Kampung Seruyuk, said that preperations are being done in small stages since the last week to make sure her house is in its best shape for visitors to come.
Mohamad Yassin, 61, a pensioner, also says that he prefers to celebrate Hari Raya in his village in Kampung Baru. “In the city, it’s always busy and relatives’ houses are so far away, so the atmosphere is a little bit different.
“Every year, I celebrate it here with my four children are all still single,” he said.
Meanwhile, Wan Ismail Wan Yahya, 40 said that this year he will celebrate the festivities in his village in Kampung Masjid this year because every year he and his wife will take turns in either his village, hers in Lingga, or Kuching.
“Last year, we as a family celebrated it in Kuching, this year in Sebuyau, and next year in Lingga.
“Celebrating it in your hometown is very festive and fun compared to the city,” said the civil worker.
Wan added that he and his wife have made preperations since a month ago as they are preparing to welcome back their children to celebrate it with them.
Ramli Haji Bujang, 55, also a civil worker, said that since his mother passed away three years ago, he has celebrated Hari Raya in Kuching.
“I do admit that celebrating Hari Raya at home is more cheerful and festive with a colourful environment,” he said, adding that he will always remember the moments he had with his mother during the festive season.
Ramli added that to make it feel more like home eventhough he celebrates it in the city, he will have an open house for family and friends to come visit.
