Learning to get up and Bugis
2010/01/05
Abdullah Mohd Yusof of Ipoh, Perak, went to the recent Bugis Big Family Day 2009 armed with a chart detailing his family tree.
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| Mariah Zainuddin (right) with her daughter Nurin Mohd Noor (centre) and son in-law Osmy Shu-Hairi Shuib sit down for a traditional Bugis meal of ’lepak loi’ and ’burasak’ with beef rendang and fried grated coconut. |
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| Folk of Bugis ancestry from all parts of Malaysia gather at Bugis Big Family Day 2009 in Pekan Francais, Jalan Pontian, Skudai. — Pictures by Zulkarnain Ahmad Tajuddin |
The 63-year-old businessman's eyes' lit up when asked to explain his family's connection with a famous Bugis religious leader.
Abdullah is a ninth-generation descendent of Daeng Selili, who was known as "Tok Haji Besar" and "Datuk Sri Maharaja Lela di Perak".
He said Daeng Selili was a respected kadi, or religious figure, in the Perak Bugis community.
"I found out about the gathering from Harian Metro and I came to the event in search of people who may be related to my family. Though I did not find anyone, at least I met with many Bugis descendents from Sabah, Johor and Selangor."
Abdullah said the Bugis community was known to have the blood of warriors running through its veins
"Due to our bold nature, our forefathers were either brave seamen or revered religious leaders."
He was among the 1,000 participants of the first Bugis Big Family Day, a platform for fellow Bugis to exchange ideas on business, education and culture, in Pekan Francais, Jalan Pontian in Skudai.
The day-long event featured Bugis dances and songs as well as traditional food. It ended with a tahlil (prayers).
Some came dressed in traditional Bugis attire, which is similar to the Malay dress, only with a different type of headgear, and sampin.
Some spoke the Bugis language, which is still alive in many communities in Johor, Selangor and Sabah.
Mohd Noor Ramli, 68, and his family came from Banting Selangor, upon knowing about the gathering from Segunung Harapan, the reality show on Astro's Oasis channel.
The retired civil servant was born in Kesak in Sungai Mati, Muar, where Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman grew up.
"My relatives in Muar are friends with the menteri besar's family. We have many mutual acquaintances, and I know for sure that his family is of Bugis ancestry.
"My family is descended from Raja Ali Haji who was born in Selangor. Many of his kin later moved to Muar."
Raja Ali Haji was the famous Bugis poet and scholar who wrote Tuhfat Al Nafis (Arabic for "Precious Gift"), which recorded the history of the Malay states during the 19th century.
Noor's wife, Mariah Zainuddin, 67, who is also of Bugis descent said the gathering was an eye-opener because she learnt about the different Bugis traditions in other states.
"The Bugis culture differs from state to state. For instance, the Bugis in Selangor do not have delicacies such as lepat loi, which is glutinous rice wrapped in triangular banana leaf casings," said Mariah.
Noor said many Bugis had been fully assimilated into the Malay community, and there was little to tell them apart.
"Perhaps one can try to tell by their demeanour. It is said the Bugis are garang (fierce) and competitive," said Noor.
Pontian-born Bugis descendent, Abd Hadi Ambok Itong, 35, said the Bugis of yore were known for their skills as traders, mariners, and handling of weapons such as the keris.
"They are known for having a rich culture, and that is something I am trying to encourage among the younger people."
Hadi said there was an on-going effort to publish a book on traditional Bugis food.
A research team from Universiti Putra Malaysia is gathering information on Bugis food at various locations, including his village in Sungai Kuali, Pontian, of which 90 per cent of residents are Bugis.
Among the 50 Bugis delights that would be featured are burasak, rendang kerisik, bahulu pecak, barongkoh and titi aji.
Persatuan Kebajikan Ekonomi Bugis Malaysia chairman Lokman Junit said Bugis Big Family Day was organised for cultural and economic exchange.
He said there were more than 10 Bugis clans in Malaysia including Daeng Parani, Daeng Marewar, Daeng Celak, Kemasi, Bone and Wajok.
"There have been smaller gatherings of Bugis descendents at state-level. This is the first time it is being done on a large scale.
"We wanted to gather everyone from all levels of society, be they from the Raja or Daeng clans," said Lokman, 54, who owns a company that builds traditional Bugis houses without the use of nails.
Satinja Mansyur, 19, of Sandakan, Sabah, said the large gathering was an opportunity for the younger generation to learn about their heritage.
"In today's modern world, youngsters forget the traditions once practised by their forefathers. I am confident this would help youths to reconnect with their roots," Satinja said.
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