Indonesia's rich Islamic culture and teachings have led to the development of unique traditions in religious celebrations. One such cultural treasure is the tradition of welcoming the month of Ramadan, which varies across different regions of the country. For instance, in Semarang, the Dugderan festival involves the sound of drums and booming cannons that mark the arrival of the holy month. This celebration is typically held two weeks before Ramadan and has become a people's party.
In other regions such as Klaten and Boyolali, the Padusan Regency tradition involves bathing ceremonies in sacred wells and springs to purify the body and soul before fasting. These are just a few examples of the diverse and fascinating ways in which Indonesians welcome the month of Ramadan.
Given Indonesia's ethnic, linguistic, religious and cultural diversity, it is essential to preserve and promote these traditions. They not only highlight the country's unique cultural heritage but also have the potential to attract both local and foreign tourists. For instance, in Malang City, the percussion festival held to promote patrol culture could be used to attract tourists interested in experiencing local music and cuisine.
1. Indonesian Ramadan Habits
The aforementioned traditions of welcoming Ramadan in Indonesia signify the significance of this month to Muslims in Indonesia.
The essence of these traditions includes gratitude, strengthening relationships, purifying oneself, forgiving one another, and sharing with the less fortunate. If these values were to be sustained throughout the year, it would be a powerful force.
Apart from these traditions, Indonesian Muslims also have a number of customs that are practiced in different regions during Ramadan.
These include:
1. Firstly, waking up neighbors for sahur. Since the 70s, this custom has been practiced by many groups. Various methods are used to ensure that people wake up for their pre-dawn meal, including shouting, banging pots and pans or electric poles. Unfortunately, this rewarding habit is sometimes followed by unruly behavior, such as playing with firecrackers.
2. Secondly, ngabuburit, which involves waiting for iftar. Breaking the fast is a joyous occasion that is often celebrated with family, friends or loved ones. People often spend time ngabuburit, telling stories, and hanging out at the beach or a café. Sharing stories while waiting for the call to prayer is an enjoyable pastime in itself.
3. Thirdly, compote is a popular menu item for breaking the fast. Although it is a dish that can be consumed year-round, it is particularly popular during Ramadan. Made from bananas and sweet potatoes with a sweet coconut milk sauce derived from palm sugar, it is a perfect dish to quench thirst and satisfy hunger after a long day of fasting.
4. Fourthly, the moment of breaking the fast is eagerly anticipated by those who observe fasting, and the sound of the maghrib drum signals its arrival. This anticipation is natural, as enduring hunger and thirst throughout the day is no easy feat. However, a unique habit among Indonesians during Ramadan is to consume almost every available menu, almost as if seeking revenge for the day-long struggle. While this habit is understandable, it is also unfortunate as overeating or drinking excessively after a long fast can have negative impacts on digestion.
5. Fifthly, fasting is obligatory for Muslims who are able to observe it, even if they are busy working. Ramadan, being a blessed month, can be a blessing in disguise for workers as many offices and companies change their working hours during this month. Work may start a little later and finish a little earlier, and in some cases, workload may even be reduced. This practice is not limited to Muslims alone and is enjoyed by people of all faiths.
6. Sixthly, the economic blessings of Ramadan are evident as many Indonesians suddenly become traders during this month. The emergence of small markets, selling everything from iftar menus to clothes and kitchen utensils, is a unique habit that mushroomed in every region. Increased purchasing power of the people, especially as Eid approaches, makes some try to earn a fortune as traders. Small traders can be found on almost every street corner, offering their merchandise at competitive prices, sometimes even beating shopping centers.
7. Seventhly, the festive spirit of Ramadan is often celebrated with firecrackers and fireworks, despite their ban. This practice is inseparable from the month of Ramadan and is a frequent habit of domestic people. Firecrackers can be heard not only during dawn and breaking the fast but also throughout the month. Unfortunately, this also increases the number of accidents, either due to being hit by firecrackers or being burned by them.
8. Lastly, the purchasing power of the Indonesian people increases rapidly during the month of Ramadan. This is evident not only in the purchase of food for breaking the fast but also in the purchase of various other items, such as kitchen utensils and clothing. Despite the knowledge that expenses will swell during this time, this unique habit of shopping is still observed. While shopping may not be an issue when finances are strong, it can become a challenge when the economy is weak.
2. Traditions of Indonesian People Welcoming Ramadhan
The ninth month of the lunar calendar is known as Ramadan. The word "Ramadan" is derived from the Arabic word "Ramdha", which means heat. This interpretation could refer to both the literal and figurative meanings.
In Indonesia, Ramadan is celebrated as a cultural and traditional festival among the Indonesian people. This is related to the relationship between the community's traditions and the festivities of the month of Ramadan. However, when it comes to the authenticity of Islamic law, this relationship can be classified into three types.
1. Semarang City, the "Dugderan" tradition involves the sound of the mosque drum ("Dug") and cannon fire ("Der") to signify the beginning of Ramadan. This centuries-old tradition is usually held 1-2 weeks before the start of fasting.
2. Another tradition is the "Padusan" bathing ceremony, practiced in Klaten, Boyolali, Salatiga, and Yogyakarta. This ritual involves cleansing the body and soul in a sacred well or spring to prepare for fasting.
3. Kuantan Singingi Regency, Riau, the annual "Pacu Lane" rowing competition is held before Ramadan, culminating in a purification ceremony called "Balimau Kasai."
4. The people of Aceh have the "Meugang" tradition, where they slaughter and consume buffalo meat before fasting. This is a communal event where even the poor can partake in the feast.
5. In Surabaya, the tradition is to eat "apem" cakes, believed to symbolize an apology to family, friends, and neighbors before moving on to the fasting period.
6. Banyu Mas has the "Perlon Unggahan" tradition, featuring various dishes, including packaged rice, beef serundeng, and vegetables muddy, all prepared in abundance for a gathering of 12 people.
7. Finally, in Solo, the "nyadran" tradition involves extended family visiting to welcome Ramadan, and is also practiced in other areas like Boyolali.
These diverse and fascinating traditions serve to celebrate and welcome the holy month of Ramadan in Indonesia.
The presence of Shari'a does not aim to eliminate traditions or customs. Instead, Islam filters these traditions so that any values embraced and practiced by the local community do not contradict the Shari'a. It is because the traditions of every ethnic group who are Muslims must be in line with the Shari'a. Reason will never take precedence over the revelation of Allah Ta'ala. This is a fundamental understanding that every Muslim must have.
Islam is a universal religion that regulates all aspects of life, not only the spiritual relationship between the servant and the Creator but also other areas such as economic, social, cultural, and political. Unfortunately, some Muslim communities still have a partial understanding of this.
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