• Select five photos that represent important parts of your family cultural background and personal identity.

• These can include:

  • Family traditions or celebrations

  • Food that’s special to your culture

  • Clothing or symbols that reflect your religion or heritage

  • Places that are meaningful to you or your family

  • Everyday life moments that connect to your cultural values

• For each photo, write 2–3 sentences explaining:

  • What it is

  • Why it’s important to you

  • How it connects to your cultural identity

Remember to be respectful and authentic in sharing your cultural heritage.

The baju kurung reflects my identity as a Malay and symbolizes tradition, modesty, and respect.

It reminds me of my roots and the importance of family, simplicity, and tradition in our lives.

As you can see in the picture, everyone is dressed in coordinated traditional outfits, radiating warmth and unity. From the little kids in front to the elders in the middle, each person represents a unique bond and memory. We rarely get to gather like this due to our busy schedules, different locations, and commitments, so, this photo isn’t just a picture, it’s a cherished memory of togetherness, laughter, and love that defines what family means to us.

It’s a special time when we bond, share recipes, and pass down cooking skills from one generation to another. Cooking together helps preserve our traditional dishes and strengthens our family connection through shared cultural experiences.

In Islam, modesty (haya’) is highly encouraged, and the baju kurung is a perfect example of that. It covers the body appropriately while still allowing individuals to express beauty in a dignified way. The hijab, worn with the baju kurung, is also an important symbol of faith, worn by Muslim women as an act of obedience to God and a representation of their identity.

Culturally, this attire is a way to honor our Malay heritage, a blend of tradition, family unity, and pride in our roots. During Hari Raya, wearing coordinated traditional clothes like this also strengthens the sense of togetherness and celebration, showing respect to our elders and bringing joy to the entire family.

So, the outfit is more than just fashion, it’s a representation of faith, identity, and cultural pride, worn with love during one of the most meaningful times of the year.

But lemang is more than just food, it’s a cultural symbol of unity and togetherness. Preparing lemang is often done as a family or community activity, usually overnight or into the early morning. Everyone gathers around the fire, taking turns to rotate the bamboo and keep the flames just right. It’s a time of bonding, storytelling, and laughter, reflecting the strong communal values in Malay culture.

This tradition showcases the resourcefulness and creativity of our ancestors, using natural bamboo and firewood to cook, turning simple ingredients into something meaningful and delicious. Lemang isn’t just eaten, it’s experienced.

So in short: lemang isn’t just a Raya favorite. It’s a dish that represents heritage, patience, and togetherness, a true reflection of the Malay spirit and hospitality.

In many Malaysian families, visiting a loved one’s grave especially before or during special occasions like Hari Raya is a tradition rooted in Islamic belief and cultural respect. Families gather to recite doa, clean the area, and reflect quietly. It’s a way to stay connected to those who’ve passed, showing that they are never forgotten.

For my family, my mom’s grave is a symbol of love, strength, and the bond we still share with her. It’s a place to feel close to her presence, to talk to her in our own way, and to honor the life she lived and the values she passed on. It may even be a space where you find peace, comfort, and strength during hard times.

In moments of silence by her side, there’s a sense of healing , and that makes her resting place not just meaningful, but truly sacred.

First photo: This is a bit shot of my kampung, where the air is calm and memories live in every corner. It’s important to me because it’s where my childhood was rooted — a place that shaped who I am. The kampung connects me to the values of simplicity of my family. I loveee going back to kampung (Rumah Wan). 🫶🏻

Second Photo: Cooking for Raya Celebration

This photo shows my family in the kitchen, preparing meals for Raya with laughter and teamwork. It’s a moment of bonding and joy, where recipes are shared between generations.

Third photo: Ikan Patin Masak Tempoyak

This dish is Ikan Patin Masak Tempoyak, a signature recipe in our home cooked with fermented durian and fresh river fish. It’s important to me because it carries the familiar taste of tradition and my family’s love for bold, comforting flavours. It reflects our heritage and the culinary pride of the Pahang region. It is actually my favorite food 🍲 😋

4th Photo: Malam Raya Takbir Session

In this photo, we gather on malam raya for takbir, our voices rising in harmony to welcome Eid. This moment is close to me and my family heart, as it reminds us to begin the celebration with humility and remembrance of Allah.

Last photo: In this photo, the whole family is gathered, dressed in our best, sharing laughter on Raya morning. It’s a precious moment that means more than just normal celebration 🎉

To conclude this little life of mine, I would like to say that I am and will be grateful of how connected and loving me and my family are to our culture and heritage despite being far or unable to connect physically. That is all from me!

In Malay culture and Islamic teachings, gratitude (syukur) and togetherness (silaturrahim) are highly valued. Celebrating a birthday becomes an opportunity to reflect, give thanks to Allah for another year of life, and receive well wishes from loved ones. The presence of family and even the simplicity of a home-cooked meal carry more meaning than any material gift.

This kind of moment reminds me how much family bonds, respect, and gratefulness are deeply rooted in my daily life and cultural values.

This photo is from one of our Hari Raya celebrations, where my whole family is dressed in baju kurung and baju Melayu. Hari Raya is really special to us because it’s a time where we seek forgiveness, visit relatives, and eat together. It means a lot to me because it brings everyone together and reminds me of the importance of family and tradition in our culture.

Photo 2: Puri – Traditional Pakistani Bread

This picture shows puri, a type of deep-fried bread that we usually eat at least once a month. My late grand grandfather on my mum’s side was Pakistani and puri is his favourite, so puri is something that connects me to that side of my heritage. Every time we eat it, especially together as a family, it makes me feel closer to him and proud of my mixed cultural background.

Photo 3: Baju Kurung

This is a photo of me wearing baju kurung, one of my favorite traditional outfits. I usually wear it during Hari Raya or special occasions, and it represents both my identity as a Muslim and my roots as a Malaysian. It makes me feel confident, proud, and connected to my culture.

Photo 4: Tok Dada and Tok Dadi’s House

This photo is taken at Tok Dada and Tok Dadi’s house – they’re not my biological grandparents, but they’ve become like my own since my grandfather passed away and my grandmother is unwell due to dementia. Their home is like a second home to me. It’s a place full of warmth, love, and memories, and it shows how much extended family means in our culture.

Photo 5: Family Day Gathering

This was during a big family day where all of my mum’s side gathered together every year. Events like this are always full of laughter, food, and stories. it’s one of the ways we stay close as a family. It reminds me how important it is to stay connected and appreciate our loved ones while we still can.

• The first picture is a picture of my family during Eid al- Fitr where we gather all gather together to celebrate the end of Ramadan. Eid is an important celebration to me as it acts as a reminder of my faith and to be grateful for the blessings in my life.

Food that's Special to your Culture.

• The second picture is a picture of our preparation for Eid where me and my mom would make Rendang Ayam and Kuah Kacang. During Eid cooking Rendang and Kuah Kacang is a must for my family. Every year the women in my family would vote who's turn is it to cook Rendang for everyone, and this year it was our turn to make it!

Clothing that Reflects your Religion or Heritage.

• The third picture is of me wearing Kurung Kedah for Hari Raya. Wearing it makes me feel connected to my culture and a reminder of my birth place, which is in Alor Setar, Kedah.

Places that are Meaningful to you or your Family.

• The fourth picture is a picture of my late grandparents, where all of my family members would gather together every weekend. However, since both of my grandparents have passed away, we would gather there during the 2nd day of Eid to visit their grave and look back at the memories at the house.

Everyday Life Moments that Connect to your Cultural Values.

• The fifth picture is a picture from a Mamak restaurant. Everyday, me and my family would choose where would we want to eat for dinner. It helps us to spend more time together and talk about how we spent our days from work, classes and so on.

2. This shows my favourite food a large pot of soup tulang gearbox being boiled, likely for a soup and eat with ketupat during a feast. It's meaningful to me because it represents the effort and love that goes into preparing traditional food for family gatherings. Food preparation like this is deeply tied to our norm cultures at my granny's house.

3. Here I am posing outdoors in my new custom baju kurung worn during festive seasons. This moment is special as it captures the pride I feel in my heritage and how beautiful our traditional clothing is. It’s a personal expression of cultural identity and respect for our customs.

4. This is my favourite place to visit with a quiet family moment inside the grandparent's house. We were having our tradition of greeting each other and asking for forgiveness, known as bersalaman dan bermaaf-maafan. It is a beautiful memory that brings us closer together and strengthens our bonds.

5. This photo was the precious moment of the year because we chased the ducks and plucked their feathers together as a family to prepare dishes for Hari Raya. Usually in Malacca, we called the day of foods preparation before raya as 'hari mantai'. It is very meaningful to me because it gives me a glimpse back into my childhood, when I helped prepare for the celebration. These moments reflect the spirit of tradition and the joy of doing things together as a family in one team.

These memories are treasures that shape who I am and keep me connected to my roots.

The second image shows my family's favourite foods that my dad once cooked. It's our way of showing love and care. It makes each family member to feel valued, even on our busiest work days. In my culture, food is central to family and tradition. Old recipes were our everyday meals as to honor my parents' sacrifice.

Thirdly, often times, my family would wait until the bus or plane I was on to leaves the station. This shows how much it matters to my family whenever I leave them for college. Our culture contains value on presence and small but meaningful gestures. It reflects the value we have on our relationships, despite our silent moments.

In the fourth picture, my sister is picking out on candies to bring before visiting our cousins. 

In many cultures, bringing food when visiting someone’s home is a way of expressing gratitude and maintaining harmony. This is because desserts often symbolizes generousity and hospitality.

Lastly, the fifth image is during my brother's birthday. It's customary for my family to buy cakes for this type of occasion. We value and celebrate each of our family's existence as a member and individual.

This might be irrelevant or insignificant, but this small gesture shows that family bond are one of the core values in the Iban family.

Every year on Eid, after having a "raya" session with my family members, we will take a family picture together. This is a tradition that will hold significant memories for all of us to keep.

Meaningful place :

For us, visiting our parents' grave is a sentimental obligation to do every morning on Eid. It is one of the ways we show love and the best way to get rid of longing emotions.

Eid Activity :

One of the activities is doing 'Rumah Terbuka' on Eid for close friends or family members. This is a way to keep in contact and meet each other after a long time.

Cultural Food :

Since we live in Kelantan, my Auntie's House usually will prepare Nasi Dagang on the first day of Eid. Therefore, this has become a routine and tradition for our family each year on Eid

A photo of satay, a popular Malaysian dish made of grilled meat on skewers served with peanut sauce. It’s one of my favourite traditional foods, and it reminds me of family gatherings, celebrations, and even casual nights out with friends. As we all know, Satay is a big part of Malaysian food culture, especially in Malay communities. It represents our love for flavourful food and the way meals bring people together.

It’s important to me because wearing the baju kurung and tudung shows our respect for modesty and our Islamic faith. These clothes are not only part of our daily life but also a symbol of our identity as Malay Muslims.

This connects to my cultural identity because it represents the values of my heritage—modesty, grace, and tradition. It reminds me of the pride we take in dressing respectfully and upholding our cultural customs.