CHANGING TIMES

I saw this unusual bunga telur at our surau yesterday. We had the Khatam Quran for the Ladies Taddarus group and we handed out duit raya to orphans, single mothers and the few aged that we could locate around Vista Angkasa. The bunga telur, ubiquitous at Malay weddings didn't have any eggs on them. The one in the picture above have jellies instead of boiled eggs. How many weddings have you been to and brought home, not bunga telur with the telur but sweets, chocolates, hand towels or silk tissue boxes? Even the pulut kuning bristling with bunga telur is now replaced by indigestible styrofoam. Don't they know that they are contravening the Trade Description Act? I guess we are used to nasi lemak that is not lemak at all and coffee without the caffiene. Some of you might have been offered Honeymoon Suites even when you bring along grandmothers.

I guess traditions are old fashioned nowadays. "Biar Mati anak, jangan mati adat" gave way to the Child Protection Act. The fear of cholesterol and depleting chicken might have something to do with eggs being replaced by other items. But let us not forget that traditions make us what we are. And they do have purposes. As an example, The red egg is a symbol of fertility. Grooms need the protein. In deference to the remaining days of Ramadhan, I shall refrain from elaborating on the aphrodisiac value of boiled eggs. Just watch "Cool Hand Luke" and you will know what I mean.

Being true to tradition and in the spirit of Hari Raya, I wish everyone Selamat Hari Raya and even if you do not know me from Adam, Maaf Zahir Batin!

Labels: bunga telur, traditions