Hari Raya Haji is one of the most popular festivals of the Islamic community. The festival is celebrated on the first day of the month of Syawal. The day is about spending time with friends and family and showering them with lovely gifts. But the festival goes way beyond exchanging gifts among loved ones. Dive into this article to discover some special facts about the festival.
Visiting Graveyards is a Part of the Festival
Hari Raya celebrations commence with visiting the mosque for prayers. After that, people also visit the graves of their ancestors. Offering prayers to deceased family members is an integral part of the festival.
Children are Given Festive Money
Older family members offer duit raya or festive money to children. The gift money is considered a sign of forgiveness. They are given out in adorable little envelopes. Also, once you start earning, you will no longer receive the gift money. Instead, you will be expected to give gifts to the younger members of your family. Even if you won’t be able to celebrate the festival in person, several Hari Raya gifts delivery services will come to your rescue and help you send something to your loved ones.
Tradition of Having Delicious Food
On the auspicious occasion of Hari Raya Haji, people visit one another to exchange greetings and dine on delicious food. Ketupat is a traditional food served on this day. It is a type of rice dumpling wrapped in a palm leaf. Some other traditional dishes associated with Hari Raya celebrations include Rendang, Bandung, Sayur Lodeh, and Bubur Lumbuk.
People Light Oil Lamps
Lighting oil lamps is a huge part of Hari Raya Haji celebrations. It is believed that the oil lamps can attract angels and spirits to people’s homes on this night. Nowadays, people also light oil lamps and decorative fairy lights for decorative purposes.
Traditional Outfits
People prefer wearing their traditional outfits on the day of Hari Raya. Songkok and Sinjang are traditional outfits for men. Women usually flaunt their kebaya or Baju Kurong on this special day. Picking some bright colors from your wardrobe is the ideal way to celebrate this day.
Paying Taxes
During the whole month of Ramadan, Muslims are required to pay taxes or zakat. The amount is equivalent to the price of 2.70 kg of rice. The collected amount is contributed toward the well-being of the poor and deprived. Hari Raya is all about having a good time with friends and family. If you want to make this occasion truly memorable and special, surprise your dear ones with exquisite Hari Raya hampers.
