Tales of Ibu ...... Childhood

Ibu Zain was born as the sixth of eight children on the 22nd January 1903 in Kg. Nyalas, Jasin, Melaka. Her father, Munsyi Sulaiman, a teacher from Riau in Maktab Melayu Melaka 1900 - 1915 (Malay Training College) was hoping for a boy and planned to name him Zainal Abidin, while keeping his hopes high that his boy would be able to be a fighter for his nation and a contributor in driving the colonists off his country. Nevertheless, when he was bestowed a baby girl, he and his wife, Siti Shahariah Haji Khamis from Negeri Sembilan were thankful and named their newborn; Zainun, and lullabies of patriotic songs accompanied her throughout her childhood.

Ibu Zain was a tough lass and her playmates were mostly boys, which lead her to be called Nal, short for Zainal Abidin. She was also called Seribanun and Zainatun Nadzarah. Nonetheless, Ibu Zain remained the most affectionate name of hers. In 1908, Ibu Zain started her preschool and further obtained her primary education in Methodist Girl School, Holland Village, Tranquerah, Melaka. The purpose of her father for sending her there was to enable her to get as much as knowledge as she can from the colonists which could be used later to force them out from the country. This resembled a vow for Ibu Zain to fulfil. Her teacher, Mrs. Shellabear tried to influence Ibu Zain to be a Christian. However, her father was wise enough to teach Ibu Zain to read al-Quran, Islam and Arabian nightly. He wanted Ibu Zain to differentiate Christianity and Islam herself. She had chosen Islam, as It was the way of Truth to her. Ibu Zain could not further her studies as the society during those days had the perception that it would be a disgrace for family should their daughters be disrespectful towards the elderly later and following an English education would ultimately lead their children into Christianity.