Only recently have I consciously think about and question the “making of identity” (Senses of Place 2011) behind rituals and celebrations that I often mindlessly partake and take advantage of. “As ways of place-making such events call out for understanding” (Senses of Place 2011)– I can't say it any better than this. An excellent example of this is Australia Day. As per McAllister (2009, 164), native Australians were never included in the Australia Day celebrations pre-1998, even though they were mentioned to be an icon of “Australia in the same way the country’s unique flora and fauna do.” I have to admit, my first Australia Day was a mindless celebration. I was ignorant of the historical context behind the day also known as “invasion day”. I assumed Australia Day is the Singapore National Day equivalent– a celebration for independence– something to celebrate to. Oh, was I wrong. I've learnt that an understanding of the rituals/ceremonies/celebrations/place is required for us to have a sense of the place, not be just an ignorant participant.
You Tube: St. Patrick's Day 2007 Fremantle Western Australia
The video assumes that the audience know the historical context of St. Patrick Day. The references to leprechauns, three-leaved clovers, the colour green, Guinness, binge drinking, and granny kisses might mean nothing to someone who has no knowledge of the significance of the Irish icons, especially in relation to St. Patrick'. If you knew nothing about this celebration, then you'd think it's just a drinking “festival”.
St. Patrick's is widely celebrated by not only the Irish and Irish diaspora around the world, but also most festive-loving beer/stout/whiskey drinkers who has had come across this after-lent celebration. I've been to Rosie O'Grady Fremantle many times and I am sure that the pub doesn't get as busy and festive on most days of the year other than on St. Patrick's.
Tube Video: NZ Maori Haka
Every time I see a Haka demonstration, I knew straightaway that the “performers” are Maoris, from New Zealand. Different parts of the South Pacific have their own distinguished war dance or war cry, and the Haka is prominent; the “bulging” of the eyes and the sticking out of the tongues. As I often see the Haka performed by Maori athletes before a game, I came to the perception that, in historical context, Haka were only performed by men before a battle to intimidate their enemies. But I learnt that there are different types of Haka, for various occasions, and are performed by numerous groups in the Maori community.
Cultural Experience
Since I was little, Eid ul-Fitri is one of the festivals I've always anticipated (the other one is Christmas). This is the only time of the year where my mum would stay up the whole night to prepare and cook food so rich with coconut milk and other kinds of fat that we won't be wrong calling them heart attack on a plate. Eid is my passport to stuff my face, and not feel too guilty about it. The diplomatic term I personally love to use is– Eid feasting. When in Rome..
Of course, Eid is not all about “the feast”. More importantly it is about being a “good Muslim”. Muslims are reminded about the financially disadvantaged community, in this time of merriment. Donations, Zakat, are mandatory (not by the government). But the true test happens before Eid– the sunrise-to-sunset fast for a month. In a nutshell, the fast is not only to control the urges to eat or drink, but also urges for any misdeeds as per Islam.
This year I'm blessed to attend two feasts *smiles*; my family's, and friends'. For my friends' Eid feast party, I carried on the family tradition– minus the cooking overnight– and dished up two of my favourite Eid goodies.
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| I made the ketupat (rice cakes), prawns sambal (bottom left) and vegetarian lemak (top right) |
Reference List
Senses of Place (2011). “Week 8: Knowing place, enacting place.” Blackboard lecture notes. http://lms.curtin.edu.au/webapp/portalframeset.jsp?tab_id=_2_1url=%2fwebapps% 2fblackboard%2fexecute%2flauncher
invictusitic. 2010. The Best Haka New Zealand vs France in Paris 2004. You Tube video, 1:01. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6g3QbH_i2VU&feature=related
Patrick McAllister (2009) “National Celebration or Local Act of Reconciliation? Public Ritual Performance and Inter-Ethnic Relations in an Australian City.” Anthropological Forum 19(2):163-183.
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