KUALA TERENGGANU: Passing through Kampung Cina or “Chinatown”, near the Kuala Terengganu city centre here will make visitors feel like they are in a classic Chinese television drama.
Most of the shops along Jalan Bandar near Sungai Terengganu are filled with Chinese art and cultural heritage items, making it a top tourist destination.
Although visiting the area would be a great experience, actually growing up in the 200-year-old village was even more spectacular as it was made up of many races.
A resident from an Indian Muslim family, Syarifah Mumtaz Mohamad Ali, 32, said she would never forget the close ties her family had with neighbours, who were mostly Chinese.
She said one of her most memorable moments was when her Chinese neighbours worked hard alongside her family when her father, the late Mohamad Ali Mohamad Kassim, held a kenduri in conjunction with the opening of his tailor shop about 20 years ago.
“My father held a banquet in the village hall. Our neighbours, who were mostly Chinese, helped set up tables and chairs, served food and entertained each other.
“Life was exciting.
“We never felt any racial divide because we were treated as one of them. Every evening, I played with my Chinese friends in an alley.
“Back then there were only about five to 10 Malay and Indian Muslim families here,” she said.
Now, she said, although most of her Chinese friends had moved out to other places, they often meet up and spend time together when they return home, especially during Chinese New Year.
Another resident, Chan Wha Chai, 62, said that back then female Chinese residents used to wear traditional Malay attire like the kebaya and batik sarong daily.
He said they also had their hair up in a bun just like the Malays used to.
“I remember seeing my grandmother wearing kebaya and batik sarong every day.
“They (Chinese residents) might have been influenced by the Malays and found it more comfortable to wear them as they go about their daily chores,” said the coffee shop owner.
Chan said the traditional attire was soon drowned by the influx of modern attire, and the Chinese community, especially the young ones, would wear the kebaya only during formal events.
Lim Seng, 98, among the oldest residents in Kampung Cina, said he was happy to see Chinese meals appearing on the dinner tables of other races, especially Hainan Chicken Rice.
Lim, who has been residing in Kampung Cina for 68 years, took pride in being one of the first individuals who introduced the dish to Terengganu folk.
“I am happy to see that Hainan Chicken Rice is also being sold by Malays.
“Food is no longer defined by race. There is now no such thing as Chinese food, Indian food or Malay food.
“Now we all eat Malaysian food,” he said.
Lim said although life in Kampung Cina was not as cheerful as it used to be, the atmosphere of harmony and respect among the people of various races was still felt.
“We are living well together.
“It’s just that the new generation of residents are not as friendly with their neighbours as before.
“But this is happening everywhere as they are caught up with themselves and their careers,” he said. - BERNAMA