Pesta Chow Kit Kita (part 1)

The Pesta Chow Kit Kita was on the 21NOV10, so I'm coming very late with this post.  Then again, better later then never, they say.



The Malaysian Insider was among those who covered the event.  I especially like this article as I'm visible in the last photo.  


Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia also has some excellent photos of the event. 

The event was to start at 2.00 p.m. but the place was a hive of activity when I got there about mid-morning.

Some of the mock road signs with the portrait of the persons after whom the roads are named and a short write-up.

A bit about the project, taken from a banner hanging there.  For more information visit ChowKitKita.com

One of the facilitators/volunteers busy on a display.

When you volunteer as a facilitator, you pay your own expenses (which includes anything and everything you or the children may need to use), manage the children under your charge, do all the hard work - basically you are a full time / unpaid worker for the children.  Your reward - maybe your photo will appear in an obscure blog such as this. 

The make-shift stage being erected.

One of the major objectives of phase 1 of the project, mapping the places of worship in the area.

Paper models of the places of worship.  There's a Masjid, two Gurdwaras and a number of Chinese Temples, some of which are exclusive family affairs.
There are even a couple of churches in the area, but due to the sensitivity of the parishioners they cater to (including guest workers, sex workers, reformed addicts and other 'out-casts' of society) they requested that their privacy be respected. 

Some of the volunteers for the day listening to a briefing by the facilitators.

Some of the children behind the 'street name' portraits.

Artist and model posing for me.

To be continued...

Eid-ul-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice)

On Wednesday (17NOV10), Muslims in Malaysia celebrated Eid-ul-Adha or the Festival of Sacrifice.  It is the greater of the two Eids celebrated by Muslims (although it doesn't appear that way here in Malaysia) and commemorates the sacrifice of the Prophet Ibrahim AS (Abraham).  It also marks the end of the Hajj or annual pilgrimage to Mecca.


Here as elsewhere in the Muslim world, animals are slaughtered as sacrifice and the flesh is distributed amongst near of kin and the poor.  I was at a surau near my house to witness the event.

The surau at Medan Idaman is also known as the Surau Arab due to the large number of Middle Eastern worshipers who come here.  The Eid khutbah (sermon) here was in Arabic and English. 

Cows waiting to be slaughtered.  Some children trying to feed them.  For some of them, this is probably the first time they are seeing cows up close.

I wanted to take a shot of the little boy because of his ethnic clothes but the two older ones insisted on being photographed together.
The two older boys were teasing the younger one for being dressed like a Pakistani.  I don't understand Arabic but I could feel the essence of the teasing and it also helped that among the words used was the word 'Bakistani'.

Little holes like the above have been dug to assist in the slaughter...

... with one large hole to bury any unwanted parts like entrails and etc.

Weighing scales are also ready for distribution of the meat...

... as are cutting tools.

Of course one must make sure that the knives are sharp.

Slaughtering in progress.
A total of 8 cows were slaughtered here, a relatively small number when compared with the Masjid Pakistan in Sentul where over 20 cows and a similar number of goats were sacrificed.  The crowd witnessing became less and less for the subsequent cows as people began to get involved in the skinning and preparation of the meat for distribution.  I did take photos of the whole event, however I think it best not to display them here as there may be those who find it offensive.

The supplier also provided T-shirts for the volunteers.

A child covers his nose as one of the cows entrails was being cleaned.

The meat has been chopped, weighed and packed ready for distribution.

Traditionally the meat is divided into three portions, with one portion for the person on whose behalf the sacrifice is performed, one portion for kin and relatives and one portion for the poor and needy.  The meat is distributed raw.

Brickfields Revisited - Toddy Shop

When I did my postings on Brickfields earlier, I thought that I had covered a good portion of the area.  As I was not aware of a toddy shop being there, I was surprised at a recent news paper report that the toddy shop is to be demolished to make way for development.  While at Brickfields, I thought I'd check it out.  I did have to ask for directions though.

The toddy shop is a little nondescript place at one end of Jalan Berhala.

I have passed here a number of times on my walk about, but as the place only opens at 10.30 a.m. I didn't notice it before.  The building looks similar to the one in Chow Kit that was around many years ago.
This is a Government Toddy Shop i.e. not just licensed, but owned and operated by the Customs' Department, a relic of our colonial past.
By the way operating hours are between 10.30 a.m. and 5.00 p.m., so don't think of trying this place for some late night boozing session.

The furniture consists only of long wooden benches and table.
I suppose if regular chairs were provided, it would be easier to throw them at each other. (I know I'm being judgmental here, but hey, I'm no saint.)

Serving utensils are only plastic mugs.
I recall that in those days in Chow Kit, there used to be some enterprising people who used to rent out enamel mugs of various sizes.  The owners' sign and the rental price (5c, 10c etc) used to be painted prominently on the mugs.  Business was brisk during the evenings and every morning they had to pick up the mugs belonging to them 

There is a little temple attached to this toddy shop.

The sign says that it is the Sree Maha Kaliamman Kovil, Kuala Lumpur.

The temple is dedicated to the Goddess Kali.

It is interesting to note that some toddy is offered to the guardian deities there before the shop commences for business for the day.

Toddy is made from the sap of that oozes from the coconut inflorescence and is allowed to ferment naturally.  There is no distillation process involved.  Click here and here for some interesting photos.

Toddy is cheap, about RM1 per liter,  cheaper than what plain iced water (ais kosong) costs in some restaurants and definitely much cheaper than bottled water.  Is it any wonder then that it is the poor man's alcoholic drink of choice.