The Muharram Grand Feast

I have heard many times about the feast but I never experienced it myself but luckily TODAY I was there, in the feast. Yay!!!

Fellas, 

Today is the first day of Muharram, the first month in Islamic calendar, so it is the Islamic New Year. Mostly Moslems all over the world celebrate the beginning of the year and so do inhabitants in Kenanga, Sungailiat, Bangka Belitung and it is really unique celebration. 

Kenanga is one of villages in Bangka Regency, Bangka Belitung. It is about 28 km from Pangkalpinang, where I live. In the beginning of the Muharram, each family will cook and serve a lot of food in their house and welcome all guests to enjoy the food. No matter you know the host well or not, even if the host is only your new acquaintance or even if you don't know him/her at all,  you can visit the house and share the feast. What a unique!

The tradition has been begun long time ago, it's an old celebration by the way so every year the tradition is always held. They do not only serve food but also always hold various events such as religious sermon, which is attended by thousands people and also the local and provincial government officers, a mass circumcision, some religious-based competitions and others along the celebration. Thousands visitors always come to the feast in the same day and almost in the same time as the feast lasts a day (morning to evening). They are not only the local inhabitants but also visitors from all over areas in Bangka Belitung and others. 

There are at least hundreds guests visiting each house so that's why the hosts prepare a lot of food and drink (Some noodle with variant flavor and kinds, Bakso, Lontong and satay, Tekwan, Empek-empek, made of fish or shrimps, Otak-otak, various kinds of traditional cake and cookies, soft drinks, fruit cocktail and many more) to serve the guests. Even, some tents are available in some houses yard just to anticipate if their house can not accommodate the coming guests. Please imagine that! So, it's really common thing to see the crowd in each house and also on the road so then, the traffic jam  always happens. The policemen are everywhere and ready to guard the feast.

It's totally a massive feast and celebration! 

Guys,

If you are a fan of such cultural events and culinary trips, please list this cultural event in your agenda and visit Bangka island in the beggining of Muharram, then come to the village, Kenanga, and feel the crow and the celebration. You're gonna be full, totally full and be ready to be mesmerized. Wow!  ^_^