Bercucul

Bercucul (Jawi: برچوچول) is a tradition practiced by Malays and Kedayan in Brunei[1] and Labuan[2], Malaysia. The tradition involved lighting up colorful oil lamps known as pelita, around the neighborhood area during the last ten days of Ramadan with its peak on 27 Ramadan. It is a symbol of accepting the guest and celebrating incoming travellers to celebrate Eid at their hometown.

In addition, it is also observed to celebrate the incoming Ma'al Hijrah.[3]

Etymology

Bercucul is derived from cucul, means "lamp" in Brunei Malay dialect.[4]

Traditions

The tradition claimed to start in the 1960s.[5] The lamp or called as cucul are made from bamboo and adorned with beautiful design carvings. Modern variation include made from plastic. Alongside those, candles, big colored lamps and small decorative blinking lamps are also used to decorate house or along the highways. It is decorated either outside or inside the house.[6]

Nationwide, competition involving bercucul is organized by local committee with participation from kampung or villagers.[7][8][9]

See Also

Reference

  1. ^ "Tradisi bercucul terus dipertahankan". Pelita Brunei (in Malay). 25 Jun 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
  2. ^ "Budaya 'bercucul' masih utuh di Labuan". Bernama (in Malay). 28 April 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
  3. ^ "Semarak Tahun Baharu Hijrah dengan khemah bercucul". Media Permata (in Malay). 31 July 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
  4. ^ "Cucul, lampu nostalgia warisan Brunei". Media Permata (in Malay). 30 April 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
  5. ^ Standard, Robert (2024-04-09). "Keeping alive Labuan's Raya tradition of light". The Star. Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
  6. ^ "Bercucul: Lighting up the festive season" (PDF). Brunei Today. Vol. 9, no. 1. Information Department, Prime Minister's Office. 1996. p. 15. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
  7. ^ "Tradisi bercucul rai kedatangan Aidilfitri". Wilayahku (in Malay). 3 May 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
  8. ^ "Kampung Kilan Pulau Akar johan Pertandingan Bercucul". Borneo Daily Bulletin (in Malay). 5 August 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
  9. ^ "Tradisi bercucul terus dipertahankan" (PDF). Pelita Brunei (in Malay). 30 September 2013. p. 21. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
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