Travel down memory lane by reminiscing the old ways of celebrating Merdeka Day during our childhood. From the poster-making competition to being fully devoted to class decorations, these are some of the ways that we celebrated Merdeka back then.
Let’s take a look at 7 ways of celebrating Merdeka during the old days.
7 Ways Of Celebrating Merdeka During The Old Days
1. Watching The Merdeka Parade At Dataran Merdeka
Images via Yahoo News Singapore & TripSavvy
Do you remember the morning of Merdeka day when we woke up at 5am and get ready to make our way to Dataran Merdeka? With patriotism following our steps, waking up to the Merdeka parade was one of the highlights of our childhood. The parade indeed plays a big role in our lives.
2. Traditional Dress Up Competition At School
Image via The Star
Remember the days when we can avoid wearing our school uniforms? The Merdeka month was indeed the best month of the year. You can dress up in your traditional clothes or maybe the traditional clothes of other races. There would be a small cute catwalk before announcing the winner. What a day!
3. Coloring & Poster Making Competition
Images via Pinterest & Buletin Mutiara
Of course, we can’t forget the iconic competition. Compulsory for every Malaysian student back then was; coloring & poster-making competitions. This was the time for us to unleash our creativity and bag up that winning prize. Though, we did struggle with the stars on Jalur Gemilang.
4. Attaching Jalur Gemilang On Cars
Images via Portal Berita RTM & The Star
One of the best parts of Merdeka month was seeing all cars on the street had Jalur Gemilang attached to their cars. Be it on the roof or the hood. You can feel a sense of pride and gratitude while looking at the waving flags as cars drive past you.
Feel like visiting some Merdeka exhibitions this year? Check out the ‘Greater Together’ Exhibition at Fahrenheit 88.
5. Classroom Decorations
Images via Cikgu Hailmi
We have to admit. The only time we enjoy taking care of our class back then was during the Merdeka month. Everyone was devoted when it comes to decorating the class with Jalur Gemilang. We also did some decorating for class doors with artwork and pasting fun history facts about Malaysia. It was the best part of the school days.
6. Doing Merdeka Artwork At School
Images via TNH & New Straits Times
During Merdeka month back then, teachers and students would gather to build a life-size Jalur Gemilang using all the things we can use. This could range from using plastic bottles or even using our hands to leave print and shape it into a Jalur Gemilang. It was messy yet fun to do.
7. School-Level Merdeka Celebration
Images via The Star & New Straits Times
Besides celebrating our national day, the Merdeka celebration school was the best part of the day. We could skip classes and spend half of the day at the school hall.
There were poem recitals, some short theater plays, fashion shows, and more. And to end the celebration, all of us would scream out our lungs at the Jalur Gemilang and Keranamu Malaysia songs.
So, do any of these activities remind you of the old days of celebrating Merdeka? Celebrating Merdeka with our friends and doing these fun activities were some of the highlights of our childhood. Through these activities, we could share our patriotism and further ignite the Merdeka spirit.
