Dayang (centre in red), Salianah (holding hamper), their family and invited guests at the open house.
THE windy and steep Kimanis road along Crocker Range in Kota Kinabalu is a torture on every vehicle’s brakes. But recently, there was a place for a break, and seasonal joy as well.
When drivers stopped by a roadside stall near village houses at the base of the range to cool their vehicle brakes, they were welcomed with cries of “Merry Christmas! Come on in, come join us”.
The family that runs the stall invited all who passed by to join in their open house and Christmas celebration.
Dayang Alus Sitam, 50, decided to welcome everyone who stopped nearby to join their open house at Kg Ulu Sawatan Banjaran Crocker.
And many did stop.
The area is a flat clearing where drivers coming down the hill can make an emergency halt when their brakes start to overheat and threaten to fail.
“We were actually having our family open house and waiting for our friends and family to arrive,” said Dayang, adding this was actually her husband’s family tradition.
“However, we decided that since it was Christmas and the festive season, it won’t hurt to also invite people who had to stop by from their road trip,” she said.
Though a Muslim herself, Dayang’s family includes Christians and other religious groups, and the open house tradition has been passed down through generations.
City slicker Hiew Chian Fook, who was among the “surprise guests” at the open house, said it was a pleasant and happy experience to join in someone else’s party.
“We stopped here because our car brakes were overheating and we had to let them cool down. While waiting, they invited us to come and eat. What a happy thing to happen,” said the 70-year-old who was with his daughter and son-in-law.
Erica Albert, who was with her uncle and aunt heading from Keningau to Kota Kinabalu, said she felt shy at first when the hosts invited them.
“But my aunt persuaded me to just go and eat (because it would seem rude if we did not). I couldn’t be happier because I not only got to enjoy free food but also joined in the festivities before going home,” said the 21-year-old student.
Dayang said they celebrate every festival ranging from Christmas, Hari Raya, Chinese New Year and even Deepavali.
“I am a Muslim but my husband’s family, their spouses and extended families are made up of other races and religions. We use these festivals to bond and I have been enjoying this for over 30 years,” said Dayang.
She said her husband has 16 siblings and most of them live around the Kimanis area.
Occasionally, just like any other family, arguments and misunderstandings do occur but they would always find a way to reconcile because family bond is stronger than anything else.
“We do not want anything, not race, religion or disagreements, to break us apart,” Dayang said.
Salianah Jaudi, 32, who hails from Ranau but married to the family, said she feels thankful to be part of the huge and diverse family.
She said they celebrated each other’s festivals in Ranau too but it was “more happening” in Kimanis.
The mother of five said it was important that they pass down the spirit of togetherness and family closeness to the children because they could always turn to relatives for help in times of need.
