This is in Malang, Indonesia. There's a unique practice here that I feel compelled to share. It's the Muslim tradition, at least in this region, of announcing prayer times using a huge drum called beduk  (also spelt bedug ).  Marking the start of prayer times this way used to be common practice in the Malay Archipelago up to the last century, particularly on Java Island and in Peninsula Malaysia. Then modern loudspeakers took over. So now the beduks, if the mosques still keep them, are mostly display items.  But not at Malang Jami' Grand Mosque or Masjid Agung Jami' Kota Malang . As soon as it is time for prayer a mosque staff would beat the beduk before the usual adhan or call for prayer, five times a day. I'm glad Malang city mosque still retain this age-old tradition. May it live long and prosper. 

Mbah & Atok go to… Malang, Indonesia Thursday 11 April 2024 This is Mbah’s and Atok’s temporary hijrah to Malang, Indonesia for one year, for Mbah to pursue her research at Universitas Brawijaya (UB). The original posting was published in Mbah’s Facebook on 11 April 2024 (with some editing and formatting modifications made to suit this blog’s style and format). Masjid Muhammad Cheng Hoo (Zheng He) Will share this more once the rickety trickety body is rested.  Raya second day.  The laundry has been mounting steadily and finally it is 7.3 kg. Took out 3 pieces, 6.8 kg. Ok, set to go. 7 kg is the max weight for IDR10K washing and another IDR10K for the drier. 20K in total with some laundrette charging another 2K for detergent and softener while others giving gratis. Not many were opened but we managed to locate one. While waiting, I said to AK “let's go somewhere since the uni is on leave for ten days.” Google map spread. To the left, to the right, where should we go. A tw...

Mbah & Atok go to… Malang, Indonesia Wednesday 10 April 2024 This is Mbah’s and Atok’s temporary hijrah to Malang, Indonesia for one year, for Mbah to pursue her research at Universitas Brawijaya (UB). The original posting was published in Mbah’s Facebook on 10 April 2024 (with some editing and formatting modifications made to suit this blog’s style and format). Aidil Fitri / Lebaran 2024 Allahuakbar Allahuakbar gema takbir kejayaan Ramadhan Menyambut Syawal Couldn’t really sleep even after midnight when the takdir subsided. The tenth raya abroad and the feeling is the same. The thought of family is strong especially now that the family is bigger with kids and kids in law. From 4 to 7 with only one single son sun. Tbc. In search of CC coverage and coffee. It happened. Believe it or not, it happened to me again. I lost my writing. I spent minutes, many, writing the first day of Aidil Fitri and I lost it when I uploaded the pictures. That was why it was still at TBC. Not one to sur...

Mbah & Atok go to… Malang, Indonesia Tuesday 9 April 2024 This is Mbah’s and Atok’s temporary hijrah to Malang, Indonesia for one year, for Mbah to pursue her research at Universitas Brawijaya (UB). The original posting was published in Mbah’s Facebook on 9 April 2024 (with some editing and formatting modifications made to suit this blog’s style and format). Malam Lebaran and The Day Before The preparations for lebaran were simpler for there was no baju, kasut etc baru yg kena beli but we did buy a new table cloth for the dining table. Menyemarakkan rasa lebaran 2024 gitew. The ingredients for our raya meal are in the kulkas. No rendang etc for we decided to have something simpler. It looks like the theme for this year is “simpler”. To signify our raya, just like what Mak must have is lepat. Beras pulut (ketan -  1 kg soaked for half an hour), kacang tolo (1/4 kg kacang sayur - soaked for 6 hours), sebiji kelapa, garam and Pak aji - mixed. Janur (daun kelapa) and string to wr...

Mbah & Atok go to… Malang, Indonesia Tuesday 9 April 2024 This is Mbah’s and Atok’s temporary hijrah to Malang, Indonesia for one year, for Mbah to pursue her research at Universitas Brawijaya (UB). The original posting was published in Mbah’s Facebook on 9 April 2024 (with some editing and formatting modifications made to suit this blog’s style and format). Sabbatical etc etc Puasa 2024 This year puasa is celebrated for a week in the homeland and the remaining weeks the land of others. Imsak in Malang is at around 4:06 am while Subuh is at 4:16. The time difference is an hour later e.g. Klang 5:16 Malang 4:26. Not much difference in this sense. However, iftar is slightly earlier for we break fast at 5:35 but back home is at 7:35. We have 1 hour less of fasting, roughly. The equator plays a role here. The nearer you are from the equator, day and night is about the same length. That’s why summer at the North pole is daylight only. You don’t get to experience night. Adzan. The one ...

Mbah & Atok go to… Malang, Indonesia Saturday 6 April 2024 This is Mbah’s and Atok’s temporary hijrah to Malang, Indonesia for one year, for Mbah to pursue her research at Universitas Brawijaya (UB). The original posting was published in Mbah’s Facebook on 6 April 2024 (with some editing and formatting modifications made to suit this blog’s style and format). Coban Rondo & Alun Alun When Indonesian are preparing for mudik, AK and I occupied ourselves with “Where to?” short trip. A loop trip in a day. Many have been saying about Batu that has a few attractions - orchards, culture & education village, waterfalls, maze and a few more. Sounds like a good place to head to. Prior to making the journey to Batu, we head to Alun Alun . We saw the word Alun Alun in almost every town, so we head to the one in Malang. It is right smack at the town centre, near to the district administrative office. From there, we head to Alun Alun Batu as our next destination. Upon reaching there, ...

Mbah & Atok go to… Malang, Indonesia Thursday 4 April 2024 This is Mbah’s and Atok’s temporary hijrah to Malang, Indonesia for one year, for Mbah to pursue her research at Universitas Brawijaya (UB). The original posting was published in Mbah’s Facebook on 4 April 2024 (with some editing and formatting modifications made to suit this blog’s style and format). Sabbatical etc etc 4.4.2024 Thu Decided to be early at the office. Arrived there by 7 00 (8 00 Msia) so I could then go back early. FYI, my working hours is flexible for the days and time. Since I am more of a morning person, might as well be early to work and then home. As Internet coverage at home sucks, I have to download much needed materials from UB. As I was doing that, two colleagues, Bu Dian and Bu Wienda said that they wanted to go to school to supervise their undergraduates. The students are to enter a national level microteaching competition. What they have to do is to send in a video of the microteaching. A 10 mi...

Mbah & Atok go to… Malang, Indonesia Wednesday 3 April 2024 This is Mbah’s and Atok’s temporary hijrah to Malang, Indonesia for one year, for Mbah to pursue her research at Universitas Brawijaya (UB). The original posting was published in Mbah’s Facebook on 3 April 2024 (with some editing and formatting modifications made to suit this blog’s style and format). Sabbatical etc etc 3.4.2024 Wed Decided to fish hunt at the Pasar Besar . Everytime AK n I went out, my eyes would be mulling around trying to detect any kedai runcit which sells fishes, chicken, veg etc. To no avail. Have yet to figure out how they are selling these apart from the big markets and supermarkets. As I was thinking, I saw a motorbike with all it's fresh products. Aaah Haa, that might be the reasons. Since a shop is rather expensive so they become mobile. They will go to those mothers who always wait at a specific place at a specific time. No wonder I have yet to see a kedai runcit basah. There are two big ...

Mbah & Atok go to… Malang, Indonesia Tuesday 2 April 2024 This is Mbah’s and Atok’s temporary hijrah to Malang, Indonesia for one year, for Mbah to pursue her research at Universitas Brawijaya (UB). The original posting was published in Mbah’s Facebook on 2 April 2024 (with some editing and formatting modifications made to suit this blog’s style and format). Sabbatical etc etc 2.4.2024 Tues I got invited to Facultas Ilmu Budaya (FIB), Universitas BRAWIJAYA (UB) Idul Fitri video wish. I was told to wear something that has chequered design. The only one that I have is a simple knee length dress that I normally wear at home. Therefore, the final attire was the chequered dress, a cream summer coat, a light brown shawl and a brown pair of shoes. This is something new to me. At Ed Fac, UiTM or even other places, Raya shoot is when we adorn ourselves with baju kurung and baju melayu. This is our Malaysian identity. But here in Indonesia, it is more of the wishes than the attire. For us...

Mbah & Atok go to… Malang, Indonesia Saturday 30 March 2024 This is Mbah’s and Atok’s temporary hijrah to Malang, Indonesia for one year, for Mbah to pursue her research at Universitas Brawijaya (UB). The original posting was published in Mbah’s Facebook on 30 March 2024 (with some editing and formatting modifications made to suit this blog’s style and format). Making A Home Exhausted. That’s the word at the moment, just minutes away from breaking fast. A real struggle to remain fasting. Hypo hit though not too strong and towards the end of the day. Yesterday A looooong day. Started yesterday around 3 00 and it finally gets really done by 3 00 today. 3 00 started cleaning. The big one done by the cleaners but there are still those nitty gritty ones. 5 40 simple breaking fast and then to the laundrette. Bedspreads in need for the night. 8 00 Off in search of a kettle at Mr DIY. No luck 9 00 continued cleaning. Today 3 00 went out for sahur as there is nothing at home. 8 00 went to...

Mbah & Atok go to… Malang, Indonesia Friday 29 March 2024 This is Mbah’s and Atok’s temporary hijrah to Malang, Indonesia for one year, for Mbah to pursue her research at Universitas Brawijaya (UB). The original posting was published in Mbah’s Facebook on 29 March 2024 (with some editing and formatting modifications made to suit this blog’s style and format). Kontrakan Hunting Ends It took more days than we expected. It meant more days in the one room. The longest so far staying at UBGH for 5 days and another 6 days in OYO. A Ramadhan experience in a different yet similar land. While AK went for his Friday prayer, I contacted the landlady asking if it is possible for us to move in. In the meantime, we have booked for another night at OYO. Confirmed that we could move in. The key, on top of the listrik meter. We booked yet another XL grab car to transport our belonging. Just about enough to fit everything in one car. Again, AK followed suit closely on his bike. R9 Sigura-gura. Tha...