SEPANG: It’s that time of the year when Christmas cheer is in the air and family and friends gather to celebrate the holiday with feasting and gift-giving.
Even away from the festivities in the city, the Christmas spirit continues to live on in the settlements of the Orang Asli, who celebrate with just as much good cheer.
In the community of Kampung Bukit Bangkong, Sepang, Christmas is not a celebration to be had only with the local community, but also with Sabahans, Sarawakians and Indonesians.
“Although we are a small community, we have no issue celebrating Christmas because the spirit of unity among the villagers here is strong. Our Tok Batin plays a huge role in this,” says Reverend Bakar Mogot.
“We have Orang Asli who are Muslims, atheists and Christians. But whenever Christians celebrate any festivities, everyone will chip in to help, and we do the same when it’s Hari Raya.”
Christmas celebrations here are truly unique and distinct from what you might expect from a typical church.
“Usually elsewhere, sermons are delivered in English, but here, from the very start, we have our sermons and our Christmas celebrations in the Orang Asli language.”
“We know that there are Sabahans, Sarawakians and Indonesians who do not understand English. They join us in our Christmas celebrations, so since 1991, we use Bahasa Malaysia translated from Indonesian,” he explained.
Performances, worship and prayer sessions are held during the celebration which require much preparation from everyone involved and leadership by the church elders.
To add to the festivities, fellow Indian Christians have joined in the festivities.
Visvanathan Arumugam, 49, a Malaysia Airport Holding Berhad manager, says he has been celebrating Christmas here for the past five years as he feels welcomed by the friendly Orang Asli community.
“I used to celebrate Christmas in a Tamil church in Sungai Pelek. Then I decided to try something new with the Orang Asli, and I have been with them for the last five years.”
After an initial feeling of awkwardness, he eventually warmed up to the Orang Asli community. “Over time, I began to feel that they are part of my own family. They are humble, friendly and what I like most is that they don’t ask much of anyone.”
Similarly, Ajis Madom from Sabah said that he is thankful he can celebrate Christmas in a church which conducts its service in Bahasa Malaysia.
“I have lived here for the past 10 years. Since I arrived, I have always had a language problem, so when I found this Orang Asli church celebrating Christmas, my family and I just had to join in.”
This Orang Asli Christmas celebration features a special feast, including a seafood twist as the Orang Asli of Bukit Bangkong are members of the coastal Mah Meri ethnic group.
“Every Orang Asli group has its own traditions, and here, every Christmas, we have clam rendang (rendang lokan). We live by the sea, so we go looking for clams and cook them for Christmas day,” said Bakar.
The Tok Batin of the village, Taha Akhir, 53, is an animist and leads over 800 Orang Asli villagers. He takes his role seriously and watches over the welfare and harmony of the community.
“I am the Tok Batin without a religion, and I only believe in my ancestors. Nonetheless, the bonds between the community remain strong.”
“It is important to maintain good communal ties. After all, we are living in the same village. We shouldn’t be staying away from getting along with our fellow villagers.”
“It doesn’t matter if we’re Christian or Muslim; whatever occasion may arise, be it a funeral, a wedding, a celebration, we will observe it together.”
For the Orang Asli of Bukit Bangkong, Christmas is celebrated in a unique and joyous way. Click this link for more pictures of their celebration. - FMT
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