KUALA LUMPUR, April 11 — Jannah Risma, 27, nonetheless remembered the sensation when her household automobile would pull up onto the driveway of a “kampung” home in Temerloh yearly forward of Aidilfitri. Relatives couldn’t include their pleasure to welcome these uncommon homecomings.
When she was young, one in every of her unforgettable reminiscences was cosying up along with her cousins within the previous home’s front room, whereas their dad and mom would choose to sleep elsewhere to let the kids get pleasure from their treasured time collectively during these uncommon reunions.
“I can nonetheless vividly recall these nearly three-hour automobile journeys to attain my grandparent’s home. We could be singing Raya songs with pleasure all alongside the best way. We normally set off within the afternoon and arrived there by the night simply so we might break our quick collectively two days earlier than Raya.
“At night time, the male cousins would spend hours chatting exterior the home, whereas the women would collect in entrance of the tv to watch Raya telemovies collectively earlier than bedtime,” Jannah associated to eNews Malaysia.
However, the info analyst from Kuala Lumpur stated in current occasions recreating this treasured second is simply not attainable anymore.
The cousins have all married, and the household has grown greater. The once-spacious rooms progressively grew cramped.
Just like many from Malay households whom eNews Malaysia spoke to, Jannah stated she has now resorted to renting a homestay close to the grandparents’ residence within the final three years to keep away from overcrowding.
“I strive to return to my hometown as usually as attainable, however particularly during particular events like Hari Raya. Renting a homestay has change into a necessity for us as our household has grown, and it ensures everybody has a snug place to keep with out overcrowding the home,” she stated.
Just like many from Malay households whom eNews Malaysia spoke to, Jannah stated she has now resorted to renting a homestay close to the grandparents’ residence within the final three years to keep away from overcrowding. — Picture by Farhan Najib
Similarly, Syahmi Awazhar, 31, stated he observed a rising pattern amongst individuals selecting to hire homestays once they return to their hometowns for Hari Raya.
Drawing from his personal experiences, Syahmi shared that his grandparents’ home in Kota Baru, Kelantan, is not enough to accommodate the increasing household.
“I’ve a son and my spouse is presently pregnant with our second little one. I actually assume that it is crucial for my little household to have privateness and luxury.
“Living beneath the identical roof with my three sisters-in-law will be actually difficult as a result of they want to cowl their ‘aurat’. I generally really feel dangerous once they really feel obligated to put on headscarves indoors and that’s additionally why I choose to hire a homestay as an alternative,” added the dentist from Nilai, Negeri Sembilan.
“Aurat” in Malay refers to “intimate physique components” that Muslim women and men should cowl with clothes; exposing these is taken into account sinful.
Wan Atiqah Wan Ahmad might relate to this, saying she all the time rents a homestay along with her entire household close to her grandparents’ home in Kuala Berang, Terengganu due to prioritising consolation and privateness.
Being single, she stated the rooms would normally be supplied to these with household and due to this fact, she wants to have her headband on the entire day to cowl the “aurat”.
“The kampung home is scorching, too crowded, restricted rooms and precedence is given to these with households, and I even have to placed on my hijab on a regular basis.
“It could be very onerous to get pleasure from my Raya day when that occurs,” stated the 27-year-old trainer.
With the local weather disaster and rising temperature reworking the approach to life of many city Malaysians, these polled by eNews Malaysia conceded that the warmth has as of late change into insufferable in conventional village homes. — Picture by Farhan Najib
Creature comforts have now change into wants
With the local weather disaster and rising temperature reworking the approach to life of many city Malaysians, these polled by eNews Malaysia conceded that the warmth has as of late change into insufferable in conventional village homes.
This is felt much more by those that choose to cowl their head with “hijab”, on high of sporting festive conventional attires with materials which can be much less ethereal than traditional.
Even for males like Syahmi, he stated he chooses to prioritise having air-con accessible due to his son’s sleeping difficulties and tendency to sweat.
“For me, air-con is crucial as my son tends to have bother sleeping and sweats so much. I’m not huge on social media, so Wi-Fi shouldn’t be a should for me.
“As lengthy as my spouse and son are snug, I’m pleased,” he defined.
Jannah concurred, saying the absence of recent amenities solely added to the challenges of staying in an previous residence.
“You know, when it comes to deciding whether or not to hire a homestay or crash at a standard kampung home, it actually boils down to the fashionable comforts.
“Facilities like air-con and Wi-Fi are huge components for many individuals, particularly us metropolis of us who’re used to these luxuries,” she stated.
Wan Atiqah Wan Ahmad felt that renting a homestay doesn’t reduce one’s sense of belonging and connection to their hometown. — Picture by Farhan Najib
Wan Atiqah stated she particularly doesn’t favour sharing bogs with many individuals due to the dearth of hygiene, particularly as such occurrences have a tendency to occur during Hari Raya celebrations.
“My household and I all the time hire out a homestay in Kuala Berang as a result of it’s onerous to get work finished in a cramped home. I bear in mind we used to take turns to use the bathroom and it solely led to greater issues, since then we might all the time hire a homestay close by,” she stated.
She additionally felt that renting a homestay doesn’t reduce one’s sense of belonging and connection to their hometown.
“All of these have change into wants now, not needs, particularly Wi-Fi … In the previous, we might stay with out all of those however it’s positively totally different now,” she stated.
Despite renting elsewhere, Syahmi stated he would solely return to the homestay to sleep and would spend the entire day with the household residence to not really feel disregarded.
“Renting a homestay positively adjustments up the vibe during Hari Raya. Of course, it isn’t the identical cosy really feel because the kampung, however it beats the chaos of making an attempt to match everybody into one home.
“Sure, we do lengthy for that nostalgic vibe, however the freedom to calm down and soak within the celebrations with out being cramped collectively makes me pleased,” he stated.
