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.
Comments