GEORGE TOWN - Kak Cik Yah has been active on TikTok since 2022 but last week, she became a household name - a remarkable achievement for a 75-year-old grandmother who became a sensation after her cooking videos went viral on TikTok last week and garnered millions of views.
Using the account @kakcikyah4, Kak Cik Yah, whose real name is Nariah Ahmad, has attracted fans, both young and old, of various ethnicities not only in Malaysia but also in neighbouring countries like Singapore and Indonesia.
What’s even more impressive is that her TikTok following has skyrocketed, jumping from a few thousand to over 300,000 in a short time.
Often starting her videos with the phrase, "Assalamualaikum, mola-mola (first of all) Kak Cik Yah...,” Nariah's ability to navigate social media and her casual, grandmotherly communication style have touched the hearts of many Internet users, some of whom regard her as their "online grandma”.
When met by Bernama at her home in Kampung Melayu Flats here, Nariah said age is not a barrier to learning technology, revealing that she uploads all her TikTok videos and photos herself without any help from others.
Nariah said taking pictures and videos of her friends and her daily activities has been her hobby since her factory working days some years back. When TikTok came around, she started posting her videos there and has been an active user since 2022.
"Eventually, I thought about posting cooking videos since I love to cook. So, I got started by preparing the ingredients, and then used my phone to record myself cooking. Then, I uploaded the videos on TikTok,” she said, adding she never expected so many people would enjoy them and leave comments.
Her first cooking video featured a mango salad recipe, which she uploaded last year. All the recipes she shares are her own creations, as well as family recipes passed down through generations.
The petite and cheerful mother of four and grandmother of seven said her cooking videos went viral only recently, which she considers a blessing as it happened during Ramadan.
Now that she is "famous”, Nariah has become busier. Recently, she signed a two-month contract with a goat farm-based company and has hired an assistant to help manage her daily schedule.
"My daily life is pretty much the same but I'm a bit busier now. I don't have as much time as before to go out but that's okay," she said, adding that many people, including children, now recognise her and want to take photos with her.
"My children fully support me but they remind me to take care of myself and ensure I get enough rest and sleep.”
Nariah is also grateful for her good health and ability to move around independently. Her eyesight, hearing and memory remain sharp and she can go to the shop or take the commuter train back to her village in Mata Ayer, Perlis, alone.
She said she does not follow any specific health regimen but believes the key to staying healthy is maintaining a positive mindset, staying calm and not stressing over things that can disrupt her emotional well-being. She also enjoys walking as a form of exercise.
Looking ahead, Nariah plans to continue sharing her recipes with her followers as she finds cooking a therapeutic activity. She also dreams of collaborating with popular content creator Khairul Aming.
"I love watching him cook. I would love to meet him and cook with him someday," she added. - BERNAMA