This giant, glowing installation in Kampung Ribu, Padang Rengas in Perak, is assembled from 1,850 ‘pelita panjut’, the effort of a local association of enthusiasts.
Lighting of oil lamps still a much-loved festive tradition
THE tradition of lighting up pelita (oil lamps) during Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration holds profound cultural significance in Malaysia.
Among the Malay community, it symbolises the joyous spirit as the month of Ramadan draws to a close and festivity is ushered in.
In rural areas and urban outskirts, it is common to see pelita panjut (oil lamps made from bamboo), being lit and placed by roadsides at night, welcoming family members returning from the city for their balik kampung holiday.
Some communities also place these lamps within their home compounds, as well as mosques and surau.
In other places, such as Jertih in Terengganu, some individuals still use pelita kekabu, a type of lamp made from seed pods of the kapok tree.
In urban areas however, the tradition has taken on a modern turn, whereby folks use decorative lights.
Some go the extra mile by coming up with a theme to their light presentation, which may include national landmarks.
A handful of homeowners, in an attempt to be more environmentally friendly, harvest solar power for this purpose.
Mohd Yusmardi Mohd Yunos, 31, lighting oil lamps near his home in Labuan as part of the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.
Students at Kompleks Pendidikan Tahfiz An Nur Besut in Jertih with pelita kekabu. — Bernama
(From left) Friends Ainim Safiya Shahrom, Maizatul Umairah Abdullah, Nur Shazwani Mohd Nordin and Nur Sofea Nadira Al Haris taking a wefie at Kuala Lumpur’s Dataran Merdeka decked out with decorative lights.
Children playing with sparklers near solar-powered decorative lights at Kampung Sri Langkas, Puchong in Selangor.
A man making pelita kekabu in Kampung Alor Belanga, Jertih in Terengganu, where kapok seed pods are cleaned out and then filled with fuel, with the kapok fluff used as a wick. — Bernama
