In the days of old in Brunei, during the festive season of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Abdul Rahman, a respected figure in his village, stood as a beacon of wisdom and kindness. With each passing day of Ramadhan, the anticipation for Hari Raya Aidilfitri swelled. One evening, as the sun dipped beneath the horizon, casting a warm golden hue over the village, Abdul Rahman sat outside his traditional Bruneian kampong (village) house, reflecting on the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations of his youth.
He fondly reminisced about the simplicity and charm of those times, particularly the enchanting ambiance created by oil lamps. Abdul Rahman remembered how, in bygone days, houses were not adorned with decorative lights. Instead, families relied on oil lamps to illuminate their dwellings and infuse the festive season with a cosy glow.
The gentle flicker of the oil lamps lent an air of warmth and nostalgia to the festivities.
Lost in his reverie, Abdul Rahman’s grandson, Adam, approached him with a curious gaze.
“Grandfather, why don’t we use oil lamps like before? The electric lights are bright, but there was something special about those old lamps,” Adam asked.
With a warm smile, Abdul Rahman placed a reassuring hand on Adam’s shoulder and began to recount tales from his childhood. He described how families would gather around the oil lamps after breaking their fast, sharing stories and laughter while relishing traditional delicacies like ketupat and rendang.
Abdul Rahman’s eyes gleamed with affection as he recollected the intricate designs of the oil lamps, each one a masterpiece crafted by skilled hands. He reminisced about how neighbours would vie to create the most exquisite and distinctive oil lamps, transforming the village into a captivating showcase of light and creativity.
“But why did they stop using oil lamps, Grandfather?” Adam asked again, intrigued by the transition from tradition to modernity.
Abdul Rahman explained that with technological progress, electric lights became more accessible and convenient. While they brought brightness and efficiency, they couldn’t quite capture the sentimental charm of the oil lamps that had illuminated countless Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration in Brunei.
As the evening deepened and the stars emerged in the night sky, Abdul Rahman and Adam continued their conversation beneath the soft glow of a modern lamp.
Though the oil lamps of yesteryears had faded into memory, their warm light continued to illuminate the traditions and stories passed down through generations in the Sultanate. – Fadley Faisal
