Preserving Tradition: Dodol-Making Brings Community Together in Johor Baru

In the heart of Johor Baru, a sweet tradition unfolded recently at Stulang Laut Mosque, where the air was thick with the aroma of coconut milk and palm sugar. Nur Siti Farhana Aziz, a 24-year-old sales adviser, joined hands with friends and local residents to stir a gooey mixture over an open fire, crafting dodol—a sticky-sweet confection synonymous with Hari Raya celebrations. For many like her, this event was not just about making a festive treat but about preserving a piece of cultural heritage.

A Labor of Love

For Nur Siti Farhana, the experience was eye-opening. Having enjoyed dodol every Hari Raya for as long as she can remember, she had never considered the effort behind it until she took part in the laborious process herself. “It was then I realised that what seemed like a simple festive delicacy actually requires a labour-intensive process, along with patience, teamwork and plenty of arm strength” she shared during an interview. Her first attempt at making dodol left her with a newfound appreciation for the craft, describing the effort as rewarding despite the physical strain.

The event, held in preparation for the festive season, saw about 30 participants, including residents and members of the public, taking turns to stir the mixture in two large woks. The ingredients were no small feat—30 kilograms of glutinous rice flour, 54 kilograms of coconut milk, and 24 kilograms of palm sugar were combined to create the treat. By 4pm, after hours of cooking, the dodol was cooled and packed into over 200 containers for distribution to nearby residents, spreading the sweetness of the season.

Passing Down Heritage

Beyond the act of cooking, the dodol-making event carried a deeper significance. For Nur Siti Farhana, it was a chance to connect with her roots. “Like me, I think many youths are unaware of how traditional snacks like dodol are made” she noted. Learning from senior members of the mosque, she felt fortunate to be part of an effort to ensure that traditional recipes endure for future generations.

Md Yunos Omar, the Stulang Laut Mosque adviser and deputy chairman of the Kampung Stulang Laut resident committee, echoed this sentiment. He emphasized the importance of passing down knowledge to the younger generation, sharing that the event used his family’s own dodol recipe. “There is no secret recipe; we just need lots of patience to produce the snack” he said, expressing his openness to teaching others, especially younger participants eager to learn.

A Community Effort

The dodol-making initiative was organized in collaboration with non-governmental organizations and Stulang assemblyman Andrew Chen, starting at 9am with the preparation of ingredients. Md Yunos explained that while the mosque has prepared bubur lambuk—a traditional porridge—during Ramadan in previous years, they opted for something different this time. Dodol, a staple of Hari Raya celebrations, became the focus, symbolizing not only festivity but also unity among the participants.

For the residents of Johor Baru, events like these foster a sense of togetherness. Taking turns to stir the thick mixture, sharing laughs over the open fire, and distributing the final product to neighbors reinforced community bonds. It was a small but meaningful way to celebrate the upcoming Hari Raya, reminding everyone of the value of collective effort and shared traditions.

A Sweet Legacy

As the containers of dodol made their way into homes around Stulang Laut, they carried with them more than just a festive treat. They bore the weight of tradition, the warmth of community, and the hope that such customs will continue to thrive. For participants like Nur Siti Farhana, the day spent stirring over the fire was a lesson in patience and heritage—one she hopes others will embrace in the years to come.

In a fast-paced world, where convenience often overshadows tradition, the dodol-making event at Stulang Laut Mosque stands as a reminder of the simple joys and profound connections that come from preserving the past. As Hari Raya approaches, Johor Baru’s residents savor not just the sweetness of dodol, but the enduring spirit of togetherness it represents.