The Raya Relocation Puzzle: A Shared Journey and Family First!

KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 — As the festive season of Raya approaches, excitement builds as families prepare for the beloved tradition of "balik kampung," or returning to their hometowns. For many couples, the joy of reuniting with family is often clouded by a pressing dilemma: which family should they visit first?

This annual conundrum can be especially tricky when both families are eager to spend the first morning of Syawal together. Couples across Malaysia navigate these heartfelt decisions with creativity and compromise, ensuring that both sides feel valued.

Hayatul Nornajwa, a 28-year-old project manager, shared how she and her husband have crafted a harmonious approach to celebrate Raya each year. The couple maintains flexibility, alternating their celebrations based on preferences and family traditions. “If I want to be in my hometown every year, he’s okay with it,” Najwa explained, emphasizing the importance of compromise and togetherness. “Raya is about being with loved ones, not just the location.”

Despite the unspoken pressures from older family members to uphold traditions, Najwa views the trek home as a cherished opportunity to reconnect. The journey, although tiring at times due to her demanding job, becomes a joyous reunion filled with laughter and familial warmth.

Last-minute adjustments in their plans are always manageable for the couple, who pride themselves on being detailed planners. "It’s usually just small things, like what time to leave or making sure the car is ready for the trip,” she added, highlighting how their well-organized strategy helps alleviate any stress.

The fun truly begins upon arrival, where the family dynamics spark friendly competition, especially with Najwa’s large family of nearly 20 cousins. “Whoever arrives first pretty much claims the best sleeping arrangements!” she laughed, indicating the chaos that often ensues.

For Adilla J. Sam, a former national cyclist, the balance between families is also a joint effort. Residing near her parents in Kajang, they typically start their celebrations there which keeps travel time minimal. Compromises over which family to visit first can sometimes spark debates, but ultimately, they create a fair system by considering proximity. “It just makes sense to go to the nearest house first,” she remarked.

In another touching story, Ratih Widia, an Indonesian whose husband hails from Kota Baru, illustrates a mutual respect in decision-making. Though they alternate years between their hometowns, their decisions stem from open discussions that include external factors like health and unexpected obligations. Ratih’s experiences of long travel for Raya add depth to the journey, with memories of 15-hour car rides becoming stories to cherish despite the fatigue.

Moreover, for couples like Naquiyah Amalin and her husband, a methodical approach helps mitigate stress. They agreed to alternate their celebrations, starting with his family for their first Raya as a couple. Coordination with siblings minimizes potential conflicts, ensuring that both families feel included and appreciated in this special time.

As these couples navigate their Raya celebrations, the core theme remains rooted in family, love, and compromise. The anticipation of joyful reunions, laughter over shared meals, and cherished traditions underscore the importance of togetherness during this festive season — no matter whose kampung they end up in first.