'Lemang Kijal', A Favourite Eid-Al Fitr Gift

By Nur Fazlizai Ali KEMAMAN (Terengganu, Malaysia), July 4 (Bernama) -- For those who are travelling to their hometown on the road to the northeast state of Terengganu, 'lemang Kijal' is a popular choice for a Hari Raya (Eid Al-Fitr) gift. The mouthwatering aroma of lemang (traditional food made of glutinous rice, cooked in a bamboo stick) from the 30 stalls is an attraction to the drivers of the route, to the extent that many are willing to turn back even if they have bypassed this particular area when driving. A lemang trader, Mardiah Mokhtar, 55, who has been selling lemang for 20 years, said lemang Kijal has always been a favourite of many. The traders who patiently face the arduous heat and smoke in preparing the lemang are rewarded with their sense of fulfilment in providing for the needs of their customers. Mardiah said, throughout this festive season, she had to prepare and cook 500 bamboos every day due to the rather high demand. "Since last week, everyday without fail, I have to fill 500 bamboos with 50 kgs of glutinous rice and coconut milk to cater for the high demand from customers. "During the fasting month, we are able to sell more than 200 pieces a day but on the eve of Raya there is an increase in demand," she told Bernama here. Mardiah's husband, Mohamad Ali, 60, would help her to cook the lemang as early as 9am, for three to four hours, after filling the bamboos with soaked glutinous rice. "Most people would cook lemang within two hours but I do it longer to make sure that it is properly cooked," she said. Mardiah said on normal days they would only earn around RM200 (about US$50) but beginning Ramadan their income doubled. Selling the lemang Kijal with 30 other traders, she even reaped a profitable income of RM10,000 (about US$2,505) during Ramadan three years ago. However, according Mohamad, their income has slightly dwindled as many are starting to use East Coast Expressway 2 (LPT 2). "Each of the lemang is sold between RM3 and RM7 (between US$0.75 and US$1.75), according to size. But we still sell them at the same price despite the increase in the cost of materials such as glutinous rice, bamboo and firewood," he said. Meanwhile, an avid fan of lemang, Salbiah (a pseudonym), who comes from Kemasik, Kemaman, said she was willing to make the extra effort of going through the old route just to buy lemang Kijal as a gift for her in-laws in the southern state of Negeri Sembilan. She said the lemang, which could last long, tasted soft, creamy and the glutinous rice is well-cooked while the traders also maintained its quality. "The smoky aroma of the lemang is a constant attraction and many would enquire about this lemang if I didn't bring any back to Negeri Sembilan. Ironically, my relatives who also ate lemang from other areas would ask about it too. "This lemang is indeed special in its features - moderate in size and doesn't require a knife to pry it open as the banana leaf used to wrap it does not stick on the bamboo. Only true lemang Kijal traders can produce such results," she added. -- BERNAMA