Raja Bertuntung keeps Hari Raya tradition alive

The Star

Mahli Udin, 71, has upheld the bertuntung tradition in Kampung No.5, Satok, in Kuching, Sarawak, since 1992 by decorating his home with oil lamps and festive lights for Hari Raya.   His dedication has earned him multiple competition wins and the title of "Raja Bertuntung."   WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news SUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStar LIKE: https://fb.com/TheStarOnline

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00:00Since 1992, 71-year-old Mahli Udin has kept the Bertuntung tradition alive in Kampung No. 5, Satok,

00:10decorating his home with oil lamps and festive lights for Hari Raya.

00:14His dedication has earned him multiple Bertuntung competition wins

00:18and the title of Raja Bertuntung among villagers.

00:22For this year's celebration, Mahli has set up 250 oil lamps

00:26and over 50 strings of colourful twinkle lights, known locally as Lampu Cabik, around his house.

00:33He will once again compete in the Bertuntung Contest, organised by Kuching North City Hall.

00:57Traditionally, the lights are put up on the 27th night of Ramadan,

01:01known as Malam Tujuh Likur, and remain until the seventh day of Syawal.

01:06Alongside small oil lamps mounted on bamboo poles, Mahli proudly displays a 0.9-metre-tall giant lamp,

01:15a piece he has lit annually for 20 years.

01:18Once fuelled by kerosene, Bertuntung now relies on diesel due to supply shortages in Kuching.

01:25However, rising costs pose a challenge to keeping the tradition alive.

01:30Mahli has already spent 560 ringgit on diesel this year,

01:34requiring about 40 litres each night to keep the lamps lit until midnight.

01:39Due to costs, many have switched to electric lights.

01:43Despite these challenges, Mahli remains committed to preserving Bertuntung,

01:47hoping future generations will carry on the tradition.

01:55.

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