Response to "Kampung Boy"

     I really enjoyed reading “Kampung Boy” because of how easy it was to read along with the cartoons. I really felt that I got a sense of Kampungs customs and daily living. After reading this book I have a better understanding of a different culture in Malaysia.

     I thought it was really interesting how they mentioned all of the rituals a Kampung boy has to go through from birth to ten years of age. I liked that when it came to performing any ritual, grandma was there to take care of the children and was the one hosting the ritual parties. The one practice that seriously made me question my way of thinking was the circumcision ritual… The fact that they do it at ten years old instead of birth blew my mind. I liked how they showed everyone eating at this ritual except the boys getting the circumcision. Who would want to eat when they know that’s about to happen to them? I also thought it was funny how the book was through the point of view of a ten year old. When Tok Modin, the circumciser, offered the boys “chocolates” they were of course like ok I’ll have some chocolate but it ended up being pain medicine for the procedure. The only thing I can see in our culture that maybe relates to this would be lolly pops that are given to children after they see the doctor as a sort of reward.
     With any sort of ritual and celebration there are lots and lots of food, which doesn't seem too different from other cultures. What was interesting was how involved food was in their life. Food served as payment for school and rewards for helping out in the community as well as during celebratory rituals. The boys from the school would watch after their teacher’s fruit trees and as a reward they would be able to eat the fruit as they sat there. After reading this book I really wanted to try their traditional cake called kueh bengkang. It was made of rice flour, coconut milk, egg, and palm tree sugar which sounds super delicious. It made my mouth water reading that part. I also liked how descriptive the author was when talking about how they would bake a cake without an oven. I used to be a camp counselor and I found it very interesting how they used a fire below and a fire on top to cook their cake.
     In class we discussed a lot about their education system. I am glad that this book went over that section so we all have a better understanding of why Islam is the primary religion in Malaysia and how their school system actually works. I thought it was important to see how their schooling was conducted. They were very different from an American school system. The teacher would be paid in food and supplies such as wood and fish. Only four students in this book passed the exam to go to a bigger city for schooling beyond elementary. This can be a huge incite to why the people in this area are the way that they are, a humble people. They remember where they came from after they make it to a big city. I really enjoyed this book overall and encourage anyone who comes across it to read it!