‘Raja Bertuntung’ illuminates festive nights with oil lamps
KUCHING: Since 1992, villager Mahli Udin has been decorating his house at Kampung No.5 in Satok here with oil lamps and festive lights for Hari Raya in a tradition known as “bertuntung”.
Over the years, the 71-year-old has won “bertuntung” competitions multiple times, earning him the informal title of “Raja Bertuntung” among fellow villagers.
For the coming Raya celebration, Mahli has set up 250 oil lamps and more than 50 strings of colourful twinkle lights, known locally as “lampu cabik”, around his house.
He will also participate in the “bertuntung” competition, organised by Kuching North City Hall.
“For me, ‘bertuntung’ should be practised every year because it is an important part of our culture, one that strengthens bonds among villagers,” Mahli said.
According to him, the lights are traditionally put up on the 27th night of Ramadan (known as “malam tujuh likur”) and remain until the seventh day of Syawal.
In addition to small oil lamps mounted on bamboo poles, Mahli is also displaying a giant lamp measuring 0.9m tall.
“This is an old lamp from about 20 years ago. I still light it every year as part of my decorations,” he said.
In the past, kerosene was used to light the oil lamps.
But nowadays, Mahli uses diesel, as it has become increasingly difficult to find kerosene in Kuching.
He acknowledged that the cost of fuel is one of the challenges in maintaining the “bertuntung” tradition.
“So far, I’ve spent about RM560 on diesel for the lamps. I need about 40 litres of diesel each night to keep the lamps lit until midnight.
“Because of the cost, some people prefer to use electric lights rather than oil lamps these days,” he said.
Nonetheless, Mahli hoped the “bertuntung” tradition would continue to be preserved for generations to come.
