Hari Raya Here We Come!

Obviously we arrived at Mengaris Village during Ramadhan, a fact that contributed to our huge culture shock during the first days- the prayers and songs blasting out of the mosque for hours during the day and waking you up in the early hours of the morning and the tired and hungry villagers fasting in the blazing sun, waiting for their first sip of water at 18:25.

On the 19th Ramadhan ends and Hari Raya begins. This is the biggest celebration of the year for Muslims and involves food, food and more food as everyone celebrates the end of the month long fast, resolves old feuds or arguments and has a merry old time. All doors are open to visitors and people move from house to house to eat, chat and have a generally joyful time!

A cow is ritually sacrificed (one belonging to Fikri's grandfather) and the meat shared amongst the villagers to feast upon.

Yep, you heard me right. A sacrificial cow. Now I respect and love the people here and their culture but you ain't getting me anywhere NEAR the village while that is going on. I don't want to see, hear or smell it. I don't even want to see the cow in question in case I ruin Hari Raya by smuggling her out and setting her free in the jungle.

Ritual sacrifice aside, we are so privileged to be here for this event. Us four are the only non-villagers here and everyone is excited to involve us in the Jollies. We will be getting dressed up in traditional gear again (new outfits, Wahoo) and getting stuck in with the fun! Cannae wait!

So now to brush up on my Malay. "No thank you, I don't eat fish. Or meat. Or sacrificial cow. But terima kasih anyway!"

Will post lots and lots of pics. In the meantime, here's a few random ones xx