Chapter 1: THE KAMPUNG LIFE

Introduction:

A visit to the Authentic Malay House at Dusun Tua, Hulu Langat.

Last Saturday(27/7/2013), our history 3 class went for a field trip, which was part of our assignment, to visit a kampung area, Batu 16, Dusun Tua. The location is around B52, Kampung Jawa, 43100 Hulu Langat, Selangor.

Location:

1. Dusun Tua

2. Ampang

3. Cheras

4. Hulu Semenyih

5. Kajang

6. Semenyih

7. Beranang

Direction:

The journey from UCSI North Wing, Taman Taynton View, Kuala Lumpur to Batu 16, Dusun Tua requires only 30 minutes by bus.

Origins:

-The origins of kampung-

-Joy of The Kampung-

We were greeted by the Penghulu, Mr.Ghazali when we arrived. We were informed that this kampung has been in its place for more than a century. Kampung defined as small village or community of houses in Malay-speaking lands. There are approximately 
1500 families in that kampung itself, with villagers close to 4000 people. 

-Places in this small kampung-

-Daily ritual of kampung life-

The Penghulu:

The Penghulu, Mr.Ghazali, was kind enough to answer our unending questions about his kampung. We were so eager to know more due to the fact that we're staying in a fast-paced life in the capital city of Malaysia.

Mr.Ghazali was chosen to be a Penghulu due to the responsible and trustworthy characters he possesses. A new Penghulu will be elected after every General Election of this country. 

 Roles as an Penghulu:
(Penghulu is a local community leader.)

• responsible to solve the problem like zakat (muslim needs to pay it as politic's purpose).
• to provide the villagers' needs from time to time.
• to supervise the members of his clan to resolve the problems arise among the villagers.
• in charge to carry out some gatherings or celebrations among the villagers to enhance the relationship among the villagers.
• responsible to check and repair the facilities and equipment in Kampung.

In this particular kampung, there are 2 schools, a secondary school and a religious school, and a mosque. There is even an orchard in this kampung, of which we couldn't locate, unfortunately; and 2 hot-springs. We were also told that there used to be many paddy fields, fruit plantations and rubber plantations, but due to the change in the river structure, these places slowly disappeared.

-Pondok ~ place for meeting-

-Mosque &Kampung house-

After quite a long session with the Penghulu, we then went our own separate ways in groups of 5, to look for a "perfect" house that describes the tranditional Malay house the most. We walked across our previous meeting place, thinking that we found the "perfect" house. But much to our dismay, the owner of that house was not in. His kids were there though. We managed to take a picture of them (without their knowledge, of course).

So, we decided to walk further down the road and we saw many other houses, but none of which caught our attention......until this house.

 -The Malay's Kampung House-

The house owner:

We 1st met Mr. Ariffin outside his house, cutting this boy's hair. It turned out that Mr. Ariffin is a part-time barber & tenders to most of the villagers' hairs.

-His part-time job-
-Barber-

 

He is a 42-year-old bachelor and stays with his 70-year-old aunt, Mak Cik Batimah.

We did not waste our time chatting around nothing, but came straight to the point where we introduced ourselves and he decided to help us with our current assignment.

Mr. Ariffin works in Kuala Lumpur on weekdays. We're not sure of what he works as, mainly because he always diverts this question to another direction altogether. So if there's anything we're sure of his job, it is that he works as a barber on weekends.

His house was built on the 22nd of December in 1960, which also means that his house is 53 years old! It was designed by his grandfather and built by 3 hired workers within 2 months! It costed approximately RM 30,000. The whole house is built using the Meranti 

wood. According to Mr. Ariffin, there should be a prayer of blessing by the agama leader after the house is being built.

Due to Mak Cik Batimah's old age, she has difficulty standing for long hours to do household chores, therefore she cooks on the floor.

-Kitchen-

-Cat of Mak Cik Batimah-

We were chatting with Mak Cik Batimah in the living room.

We were just excited to know more about the life in this Kampung and we were informed that there is a Mak Cik is selling home-cooked Malay food just opposite their house.

There is a cute handsome boy in the house.

-Hello!!!-

The Rural Atmosphere

Some things we can only find in a traditional Malay Kampung.

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-Enjoy-

^.^