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The Muslim community in Malaysia and all over the world celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri, or also known as Hari Raya Puasa, to conclude the Ramadan holy month of fasting. Hari Raya Aidilfitri is regarded as a merry celebration as it marks a person’s triumph and success on discipline and self-resistance which symbolizes refinement and rebirth. It is necessary for Muslims to fast during the month of Ramadan, where they have to maintain their self-resistance in satisfying their basic needs and urges between sunrise till sunset. They abstain from food and drinks, as well as from smoking and sexual relations. It is also important that they keep their minds pure and not harbor any ill thoughts or intentions during this holy month. The fasting doesn’t deter the celebrants from making preparations to welcome Hari Raya Aidilfitri. The excitement builds up way before the first day, where families start to shop for new clothes, delicacies and goodies and furnish their home with new furni

The word ‘ Dayak ’ is a collective term referring to the several hundred sub ethnic groups of indigenous people of Borneo. To name a few major ethnic groups, there are the  Iban  ( Sea Dayak ),  Bidayuh  ( Land Dayak ) and  Orang Ulu  ( Kelabit, Kenyahs, Lun Bawangs, etc) . Hari Gawai , which falls on the 1st and 2nd of June each year is particularly celebrated by the  Ibans  and  Bidayuhs.  It is both a religious and social occasion as this festival marks the end of the harvesting season (similar to  Pesta Ka’amatan  in Sabah) and it is a festival filled with much singing and dancing as they start a new farming season. It is one of the major festivals the  Dayaks  celebrate; therefore, most of those who work in the city would return to their village for the celebration. A month prior to  Hari Gawai,  most of the locals would prepare the often raved  tuak  or rice wine. This famous, not-to-be-missed concoction is made of glutinous rice collected from the recent harvest mix

Murut , least numerous of the  indigenous  ethnic groups of Indonesian  Borneo , living mostly in the hilly southwestern uplands of northeastern  Malaysia  and speaking a distinctive Austronesian language also called Murut. Of Proto-Malay stock, their prehistoric ancestors migrated from Asia. The Murut were historically headhunters living in  longhouse  settlements on hilltops for defense; they were gradually displaced into the interior by immigrant settlers. The  Murut Rebellion in 1915 was a protest against British colonial indifference. After the large influx of Japanese in 1921–31, the Murut lost many members to a form of malaria against which they had no resistance. They numbered about 34,300 in 1980. Practicing  slash-and-burn agriculture , they  cultivate  dry  rice , corn (maize), and sweet potatoes. The  nuclear family  is the main kin group. Many Murut have entered the labour market to raise the traditional dowry for their daughters. Their traditional religion include

Alternative Titles:  Dusun, Kadazan Dusun, Kedazan Kadazan , also called  Dusun,  or  Kadazan Dusun , term embracing a number of peoples that together  constitute  the largest  indigenous   ethnic group  in the state of  Sabah ,  Malaysia , on the northeastern extremity of the island of  Borneo . The Kadazan are grouped along the coastal plain from Kudat to Beaufort and in the hills around Tambunan. They speak  Kadazan (sometimes called Kadazandusun), an Austronesian language with numerous  dialects . Originally the Kadazan lived in large kinship groups in longhouses containing 150–200 persons. Most now live in individual dwellings that accommodate smaller family units. In rural areas, irrigated wet rice is the principal crop, supplemented by dry rice, corn (maize), and sweet potatoes, all  cultivated  through  slash-and-burn agriculture . Unlike many other indigenous farmers in Borneo, the Kadazan have long used plows to work their fields. The western Kadazan form much o

Gawai Food   Gawai would not be complete if I do not talk about the Gawai Food. Yes like I mentioned earlier. Gawai is not about drinking our hearts out. It also meant that we get to enjoy Iban Authentic Cooking. Something that I miss when living in the City. The food during Gawai is something we all look forward to, and when the best cooks gather to show their skills, one cannot help but to forget about the diet plan that one may be observing now.  Gawai special drinks Ai Ijok (Ijok Drink) So what is the Ai Ijok? From my experience of consuming the drink, Ai Ijok is different from the famous rice wine or tuak which is the official drink for Gawai. Ai Ijok originates from a tree called ‘Pun Ijok’ (Ijok Tree). The latex-like sap from the palm family tree is extracted (like tapping rubber) in the wee hours of the morning and used to make the drink. The alcohol content is almost the same as the rice wine except that it is preferably taken fresh and warm, just aft

Ingredients 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 cup butter, room temperature 1 cup white sugar 2 eggs, room temperature 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3/4 cup milk, room temperature Directions Prep 25  m Cook 30  m Ready In 1  h  5  m Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking pan. Line bottom with parchment or wax paper, or dust lightly with flour. Sift together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Beat butter and white sugar until fluffy and light in color. Gradually add eggs, beating well after each addition; stir in vanilla. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the creamed mixture alternately with the milk. Stir until just blended (see Cook's Note for Blueberry Cake variation). Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for until cake springs back when lightly touched, about 30 minutes. Let cool in pan for 10 minute