Tradition of lighting lamps burns bright in Kuala Kangsar

 

Persatuan Penggemar Panjut Kampung Ribu’s lamp structure was lit up on Saturday, its design this year based on Negeri Sembilan’s Sri Sendayan Mosque. (Ahmad Syamil Abdullah Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: Every year since 2015, on one night during Ramadan, the humble village of Kampung Ribu in Kuala Kangsar shines brightly.

This is because Persatuan Penggemar Panjut Kampung Ribu, made up of villagers and those from surrounding areas, builds a stunning structure covered with lamps and lights them up in joyous anticipation of Aidilfitri.

This year’s impressive structure, which held approximately 1,600 lamps, was lit on Saturday. Measuring 15m wide and 9m high, the design was based on the beautiful Sri Sendayan Mosque in Negeri Sembilan.

Previous designs have included the Wilayah Persekutuan Mosque in Kuala Lumpur and Putra Mosque in Putrajaya.

Unsurprisingly, the sight of these lamps, or “panjut”, twinkling in the dark has drawn many visitors to the kampung, and has even won the association local competitions.

Speaking with FMT Lifestyle, association chairperson Amirruddin Mohd Lazim shared that they always lit the structure on the 26th day of Ramadan, or “malam tujuh likur”.

He explained that it is generally a tradition among the Malay community to light lamps during the last 10 nights of Ramadan, although this practice may be less common in urban areas.

Fellow members of the association inserting wicks into the lamps. (Muhaimin Marwan @ FMT Lifestyle)

They typically begin work a month or two before Ramadan, firstly by selecting a design “with a dome reflecting Islamic art, which is mandatory”.

According to Amirruddin, features such as domes and minarets make the structure look good and provide a “wow” factor. Beyond aesthetics, though, they also take into consideration if the design is suitable for construction.

Ahmad Ridzuan Kamaruddin, the association’s secretary, then uses computer software to scale the design to the size of their structure.

The structure is thereafter constructed on the field in front of Sekolah Kebangsaan Ulu Ribu using bamboo poles, which are collected from the village.

This year, Amirruddin shared, they collected the bamboo poles two weeks before Ramadan. Work to build the structure started a few days into the holy month.

After the structure has been constructed, boards with screws on them are affixed to it. Lamps filled with diesel are then hung on these screws and later lit.

Amirruddin Mohd Lazim, chairman of Persatuan Penggemar Panjut Kampung Ribu, believes the tradition should be preserved. (Muhaimin Marwan @ FMT Lifestyle)

It is undeniably a massive undertaking, one that requires meticulous planning – but the success of the association’s endeavour lies in the strong teamwork and passion among its members.

This year, on most nights during Ramadan, between 12 and 20 people faithfully gathered at the field from 10.30pm, eager to start work after breaking fast and Tarawih prayers.

Most of them would’ve had to work the next day, including Amirruddin, who is a headmaster of a school in Kuala Kangsar. Yet, they wouldn’t leave until 1am, sometimes even later.

Despite having to sacrifice their sleep, these villagers remain committed to the project.

And during FMT Lifestyle’s visit on March 21, there was a joyful atmosphere despite the late hour. Members joked and laughed with one another as they worked, and the sense of camaraderie was hard to miss.

For folks like Ahmad Ridzuan, it was an opportunity to meet up with old friends and spend quality time with them.

Villagers lighting up the lamp structure in a special demonstration for FMT Lifestyle on March 21. (Muhaimin Marwan @ FMT Lifestyle)

So, is all the hard work, for only one or two nights of celebration, worth it? For Amirruddin, it’s a resounding yes.

Besides drawing visitors to the village, he said, the lamps that burn brightly represent something more.

“This is a tradition for us, something we can share with people, especially with our kids. It’s something we don’t see everywhere, all the time; and it happens just once a year.

“We have the ability to do it, we have the passion for it, so we need to show it off to people and not just stop and let it die,” he concluded. - FMT