Ramadhan bazaars promote social intermingling

Ramadhan bazzaar at Bintulu Esplanade

 The Ramadhan bazaars in Bintulu are unique in a special way.  They become the focus of many different ethnic groups of Sarawak to intermingle in a pleasant and harmonious atmosphere as they go out in the open to buy the many types of food, drinks  and delicacies that are abundantly available at the bazaar.  The bazaar at the Bintulu Esplanade seems to be still busy even at the last week of Ramadhan because it is situated at the heart of the Bintulu town where people of all races congregate for their daily work, leisure and shopping. These Ramadhan bazaars are normally open for business around 2.00 pm till about 6.30 pm everyday during the fasting month of Ramadhan.  The month of Ramadhan is something to be welcomed by the peoples of Bintulu, not only for the Muslims for its spiritual benefits but also other races who look forward to discover the vast selection of foods, drinks and delicacies displayed at these month-long  the temporary bazaars.

Bintulu Esplanade

Bazaar Ramadan at Bintulu 2013

Bintulu's specialty - "Umai"

 There are two Ramadan bazaars that we visited today.  There is a  Ramadan Bazaar at the Bintulu Esplanade and another bigger one at the Assyakiriin Commmercial Centre.  The latter seemed to enjoy brisk sales because of its location some 6 kilometers away from the old town but which apparently has become a more central location due to the town's expansion to its suburb areas.  I noticed a recurrent fact as  I inquired about the prices of food sold.  Prices of all items are rising steeply which is the signs of the times as Bintulu is now in the throes of the fourth boom.

Pretty Melanau girls selling cakes and Ramadan goodies at the Bintulu Esplanade

'Kuih Kasong' a local delicacy for breaking of fast.

'Satay' or grillled chicken sticks

 At the Ramadan Bazaar near Assyakiriin Commercial Centre, the choice of food and drinks are plenty.  Due to the present hot weather drinks stalls were well patronised.  But if you are in Bintulu try the " Umai" which is almost synonymous with the Melanaus of Bintulu,  Umai is a kind of raw fish dish which like the Bintulu belacan or shrimp paste is a must try eating experience if you drop by this booming town.  Unlike other towns in Sarawak it is very common to see shoppers wearing coveralls because being an upcoming industrial town, Bintulu has attracted thousands of workers in all disciplines to help build and run the many industrial outfits at Kidurong and Samalaju heavy industrial zones situated north of the town.

Decorative Ketupat wrappings

We are three quarter way through the fasting month of Ramadan and already the 'ketupat' decorative wrappings are on sale at the local 'tamu' or jungle produce market. These decorative pieces are displayed on the walls of  Muslim homes during the 'Hari Raya Puasa' festival,marking the end of the month-long fasting season.   Wait a minute, did I say jungle? Oh ya in their free time while waiting for customers the traders at the 'tamu' weave colourful strips of glossy papers to make these decorative 'ketupat' wrappings and sell them as seasonal items beside their routine sales of jungle produce items like vegetables, fruits,cakes or riverine fishes.  The real 'ketupat' wrappings are made from young coconut leaves. They are filled with glutinous rice to be boiled and served with 'satay' or taken with curry  to welcome the' Hari Raya Puasa' festival soon.

Ramadan shopping hard hit by inflation

The Ramadan Bazaar at the Bintulu Esplanade looked quiet and few customers are patronizing the food stalls nowadays.  It is the sign of inflationary times.  With the increase of petrol price and thus the means to travel and shop and the across the board increase in the ceiling prices of all goods, gone are the days of 'cheap' price. The people in Bintulu are learning quickly to avoid shopping unnecessarily , mindful of more hard times ahead. It is only the middle of Ramadan and today's crowd is not even half of the bazaar's opening day crowd.

Ramadan Bazaar

With the coming of Ramadan, the fasting month, the Muslim community in Bintulu like elsewhere will shop for food,drinks and many other items at the Ramadan bazaar that seem to sprout like mushrooms. They are nowadays joined by other communities of different faiths to taste the various foods and cakes especially prepared for those taking the fast. In this way the Ramadan has an interesting social function.

This year the fasting starts on the 1st of September and will normally lasts a month. Besides the culinary aspect, the month is welcomed  by all Muslims to renew their faith, clean up their souls ( by special nightly prayers besides the usual five daily prayers, doing good deeds, have good thoughts, ask God's forgiveness for minor sins whether known or unknown, etc)

The two pictures above are taken at a Ramadan Bazaar located at Medan Raya car parking area, in front of Sing Kwong Supermarket. Time: 5.30 pm.