Hello everyone!
I still remember the Christmas celebration blogpost I wrote three years ago. It was a special one since it was at my grandmother's longhouse. This year, I celebrate Christmas in my hometown, which is in Miri, Sarawak. Located on the island of Borneo in Malaysia, Miri is a vibrant and diverse city with a mix of cultures and traditions.
Growing up, Christmas was always a time of joy, laughter and endless feasting with families. And even though I've moved away from Miri, I always make sure to come back home during the holiday season to relive the memories and traditions of my childhood.
One of my favourite things about celebrating Christmas in Miri is all the delicious food that comes with it. My family is known for our love of our traditional food, so you can bet that Kenyah traditional food were served during the festive season.
My parents start preparing for Christmas a few weeks in advance, making sure to stock up on the raw ingredients for our favourite dishes, as the price tend to increase the closer it gets to Christmas day. From chicken to grilled pork to steamed fish, there's something for everyone at our Christmas feast.
But the food is just the beginning. In Miri, Christmas is a time for coming together and spending quality time with loved ones. My extended family always gathers at either my parents' house or my aunts' house on Christmas day, where we spend the day chatting, singing and dancing. It's a chance for us to catch up and reconnect with each other after a busy year.
One of my favourite traditions is the traditional dancing that we call "ngajat". During any family gatherings or celebration, "ngajat" is always performed by everyone. It is a chance for us to teach the dance to the younger generation, as well as making sure that the tradition does not die. "Ngajat" is usually accompanied by the Sape music.
But what I love the most about celebrating Christmas in Miri is the sense of community that it brings. In my hometown, the holiday season is a time for coming together and celebrating with families, friends and even neighbours. A month before Christmas Day, we often go carolling around the neighbourhood, singing festive tunes and spreading cheer to everyone we meet. It's a wonderful way to connect with others and spread some holiday cheer. We even have Christmas Parade a few weeks before Christmas, where everyone in the town will parade while singing carols. But now that I have moved away from Miri and only come back a few days before Christmas, I often miss these activities.
In conclusion, celebrating Christmas with family and relatives in my hometown of Miri, Sarawak is truly special and memorable. From the delicious food to the sense of community and the tradition, there's something for everyone to enjoy. It's a time for coming together, celebrating and creating new memories with loved ones. I can't wait to see what this year's Christmas celebration has in store for us