KUALA KANGSAR, April 8 — A week before Hari Raya Aidilfitri, men at Kampung Talang, about 40km from Ipoh, will be extra busy as they get preparing the 'meriam talang' to be fired on Raya eve.
The annual affair begins with giving the steel cannons a fresh coat of paint depending on the theme decided for the year.
This year's theme is Solidarity with Palestine hence the colours of Palestine's flag, white, green, red and black used to decorate the artillery.
Speaking on behalf of the villagers, Annas Ismail, said are a total of 80 cannons, each about 3.7 meters in length, that are lined up along a paddy field.
"We are divided into eight teams of 10 and it is up to the individual teams on how they decorate the cannons as per the theme."
Annas said it takes up to two days to paint the cannons before general maintenance undertaken later.
The cannons were initially made from bamboo before it gradually changed to steel in the 70s.
Annas said on the day of the event, a whopping two tonnes of cobalt are used in firing the cannons.
He added that the cannons are fired from midnight on eve of Raya to the wee hours of Raya morning.
Annas also said firing of the 'meriam talang' has been a tradition of the village since 1937.
“It is something that villagers and outsiders look forward to year in year out,” said the 34-year-old who, the fourth generation celebrating the tradition.
Apart from adding to festive vibes of Aidilfitri, the event also creates business for the villagers.
“Villagers will set up food stalls to cater to visitors,” added Annas.
