Hari Raya is here, and it is now time to put on our best Raya outfits and hit the open house circuit!
Just the thought of all the delicious food - like satay, rendang, lemang, ketupat, etc - is enough to make our mouth water and tummy rumble.
But Hari Raya is not about gorging ourselves.
It's actually about accepting our shortcomings and seeking forgiveness, which can be easy to forget amidst all the feasting.
Some say there is a traditional staple Hari Raya dish that would help remind us of the true meaning of Hari Raya.
Does the ketupat symbolise seeking forgiveness?
VERDICT:
TRUE
According to the Journal of Ethnic Foods, the humble yet, traditionally vital ketupat was introduced during the Demak Sultanate in Central Java in the 15th century by Sunan Kalijaga, one of the Wali Songo, who was instrumental in spreading the religion of Islam in the Indonesian island of Jawa of Javanese Islam.
Ketupat or “kupat” comes from the Javanese phrase “ngaku lepat”, which means to “admit one’s mistakes”.
This also ties into the act of asking for forgiveness during Hari Raya.
This cultural dish is also traditionally sliced into four to represent the Javanese concept of “laku papat” or “the four actions” – receptivity (lebaran), abundance (luberan), forgiveness (leburan), and purity (laburan).
The criss-cross weave patterns of the palm leaves on the outer layer of the ketupat is also meant to represent the sins and mistakes of human nature.
On the inside, the white rice cakes also symbolises purity that is achieved after fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.
So this Hari Raya, when you are digging into a plate of rendang and satay and of course, the good old ketupat, don't forget the true meaning of Aidilfitri.
The Star wishes all Malaysians - Selamat Hari Raya, maaf zahir dan batin.
References:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/
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