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“They would put the tepak sireh with the betel leaf at the wedding dais.”

This is from my great grandmother’s time. She passed away when she was one hundred and five years old. When they eat the betel leaf, they have this thing. [points to the kacip, Malay for nutcracker] They crumpled them. I don’t know it’s called in English. All the small containers here are for putting different items. The betel leaf is put at the side. The nut-like thing is cut into tiny bits and other shredded things are put inside too.
It was used during the kampong days when people came and gathered to chit chat. It would normally put it on a table when old people and their friends come. It was an object that was commonly found in Malay households in the past. Now, the new generation won’t use it. They do not eat the betel leaf. Actually, the betel leaf is very good; it helps to clear your toxins. But, its taste is very strong. We rarely use it these days too.

I’m not sure how old the object is. In the 1940s, 1950s, people would use it. This set is from my mother. It got dull and turned brown over time. I polished it so that it looks new and shiny. They would put the tepak sireh with the betel leaf at the wedding dais. My son always asks me why I keep all these things. It’s not so easy to purchase these things these days unless you go to the older areas in Malaysia.

This set is very old and probably handmade by heating and beating it into shape. I keep it so that I can tell my children and grandchildren about these things. Most people don’t use it now unless they have a grandmother who continues to eat betel leaf. I intend to keep this for the future. I don’t think my children will want this set.

“They would put the tepak sireh with the betel leaf at the wedding dais.”

This is from my great grandmother’s time. She passed away when she was ...

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