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The Meaning Behind Indonesia’s 5 Ramadan Traditions

Mar 26, 2024
4 Minutes

Indonesia naturally celebrates the month of Ramadan with great enthusiasm in various regions such as Jakarta, West Java, Bali, Central Java, and Makassar. Generally, the Muslim community welcomes the arrival of the holy and blessed month of Ramadan with their own local traditions.

These traditions are carried out to prepare oneself to enter the sacred and blessed month. Moreover, welcoming the month of Ramadan can also be interpreted as a gesture of gratitude because Allah has reunited His people in this festive moment. So, without further ado, let's explore the various Ramadan traditions in different cities across Indonesia!

Nyorog, Betawi
Firstly, there's the tradition of welcoming the month of Ramadan done by the Betawi people, known as the Nyorog tradition. Essentially, the Nyorog involves distributing gifts or food exclusively from the younger generation to the older or esteemed individuals in the community. The activities are flexible but typically conducted before the commencement of Muslim fasting.

As part of the tradition, younger children seek blessings to ensure the smooth running of their fasting for the next month. Once all the agendas are completed, the activities usually conclude with a communal meal, typically featuring the dish "sayur gabus pucung” (striped snakehead fish and football fruit soup).

Munggahan, West Java
Next, you may have heard of the term "Munggahan," a tradition often practiced by the people of West Java to welcome the month of Ramadan. This tradition is observed within extended families and can be conducted within the workplace.
Usually, the event involves a gathering for a communal meal, known as a "botram." Additionally, those gathered seek forgiveness and blessings for the smooth fasting of the month ahead.

Megibung, Bali
Like the previous two traditions, Moslem community in Bali also has a ritual for welcoming the month of Ramadan known as "Megibung." The sequence of events involves gathering for a communal meal shared from a single container and engaging in discussions. This activity aims to strengthen the bonds of friendship and kinship among the participants.

Nyadran, Central Java
A unique tradition from several others preceding Ramadan, which typically involves communal meals, the people of Central Java have the Nyadran tradition. In this tradition, Muslim residents visit the graves of their ancestors to pay respects, clean the graves, and pray.
Additionally, they hold ceremonies or thanksgiving rituals at the gravesite to show gratitude for being blessed with a long life, allowing them to observe fasting that year. The Nyadran tradition also serves as a tribute to the ancestors, demonstrating that they will never be forgotten.

Suro’baca, Makassar
Lastly, there's the tradition of Suro'baca, which the Bugis people in Makassar still preserve and hold seven to one day before the arrival of Ramadan. As the name suggests, they gather to recite prayers led by an Islamic scholar or cleric during this tradition. Following this, there is also a communal meal to strengthen their friendship and familial bonds.
Moreover, the Bugis community also visits the graves of their ancestors as a sign of respect, seeking blessings and paying respects to their deceased predecessors. This visit allows them to observe the smooth fasting for 30 days.

That concludes the traditions observed by communities across various regions of Indonesia when welcoming the month of Ramadan.
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