From Sheer Khurma to Baju Kurungs, Eid al-Fitr is celebrated with an array of different foods, dress,es and traditions across the globe. While every culture has its own unique way of marking the end of the blessed month of Ramadan, they all share in the festivities as children and adults alike celebrate with new clothes, the sharing of gifts, giving in charity, Eid prayers, and well-deserved family time. These are just a few examples of how Eid al-Fitr is celebrated in a selection of countries.
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Called ‘Hari Raya Puasa’ in Malaysia, Muslims greet each other on this day with “Selamat Hari Raya”. Brightly dressed in the traditional Baju Melayu for men, or Baju Kurung for women, many families enjoy an open-house day inviting family, friends and neighbors into their homes for traditional foods like Ketupat, rice cakes in coconut leaves, and refreshing drinks like Bandung, rose-flavored milk. Children enjoy this day for the food and merriment, and not least for the green packets of money, they receive from adults.
In Indonesia Eid al-Fitr is commonly known as Lebaran. Beginning with the traditional bedug lebaran, drumming begins at Iftar time marking the start of the new month, and continues throughout the night. Street markets are relished by the community during the following week, many of which aim to make it affordable for the poor to celebrate the day with festive dishes and new clothes. While the Arabic greeting of Minal ‘Aidin Wal Faizin is common on this day, special emphasis is placed on forgiveness and atonement, as the phrase Mohon Maaf Lahir Batin is used by both children and elders, requesting one to forgive their wrongdoings. Traditional embroidery is most noticeable on the day of Eid, as men wear their Baju Koko and women dress in the Kebaya Kurung; both showcasing the unique designs of Indonesia.
While the men are dressed in kurtas and shalwars, the girls complete their festive dress with elegant Mehndi patterns on their hands. Children enjoy all aspects of this day especially the influx of cousins and extended family, gifts of money from their elders, and extensive supply of snacks and sweets; from the syrupy Gulab Jamun to deep-fried Pakoras.
From halqa, or street theater, to barbecued lamb, the streets of Morocco are filled with light and entertainment for days after the end of Ramadan. Its unique cuisine gives way for extravagant meat dishes and intricate pastries and sweets; cooked, sold, shared and loved in homes, streets and city centres.
Often called Şeker Bayramı, meaning the “candy holiday”, this is a time of traditional entertainment accompanied by festive clothes and a vast quantity of sweets. Children knock on their neighbours’ doors for a greeting of a Happy Baryam and more importantly, for their accumulating stock of candy. Share with us what celebrating Eid al-Fitr is like in your community via social media, and Eid Mubarak to all from our HalalTrip team!
