Preserving Ramadan Traditions

Some people feel the need for traditions during Ramadan to be preserved and passed on to the next generation.

KOMPAS/FAKHRI FADLURROHMAN

People waiting to break their fast at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, on Tuesday (12/3/2024). Hundreds of people broke their fast together on the first day of Ramadan 1445 Hijriah/2024 at Istiqlal Mosque. The managers of Istiqlal Mosque provide 4,000-6,000 food boxes every day for breaking the fast during Ramadan.

Several traditions continue to develop and color Ramadan month in Indonesia. Some communities feel the need to keep these traditions alive during fasting and pass them on to future generations. Moreover, some of these current traditions have been recognized as intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Education and Culture as well as UNESCO.

Some time ago, there was a lot of talk about ”war” takjil on social media. On various social media platforms, netizens show pictures, videos or tweets that share their experiences hunting for takjil. Uniquely, this hunting is not only carried out by Muslims who are fasting. However, non-Muslim people do not want to run out of snacks and snacks which are widely sold during this fasting month.

Even though it has only recently become a popular topic of conversation on social media, hunting for takjil in the month of Ramadan has been going on for a long time. This activity remains a routine that is never missed before breaking the fast. The results of a Kompas poll on March 18-20 2024 revealed that the activity of seeking takjil before breaking the fast and other Ramadan traditions is still frequently and widely carried out by the public.

From various Ramadan traditions mentioned by respondents, there are at least six activities that are most commonly carried out up to now. Worship-related activities such as praying Tarawih together have become the most frequent agenda, as stated by almost half of the respondents. The enthusiasm for Tarawih prayer together is quite high among Muslims, with one reason being the freedom to perform congregational prayer without fear of disease outbreaks like during the previous pandemic.

Also read: Waiting for the excitement of Ngabuburit during Ramadhan

In addition to collective Tarawih prayers, other regular religious activities include Quranic recitation and group Islamic studies. At least three out of ten respondents mentioned that these activities are still frequently carried out in their respective residential areas.

Enlivened by all groups of society

Apart from religious activities, there are several other Ramadan traditions which are also widely followed by the public. In fact, non-Muslim communities also took part in celebrating it. One of the most frequently implemented activities is open together. 35.7 percent of poll respondents stated this. Apart from strengthening ties of friendship, the high enthusiasm of the public at this breaking fast event can also act as a cement for tolerance between religious communities. Iftar together, which is often known as "bukber", is often scheduled as a moment to meet and share news.

Another activity that is still a habit among people during the fasting month is looking for takjil during ngabuburit. A third of respondents said they do this activity all the time. This is inseparable from the large number of surprising markets selling various snacks, drinks and snacks in a number of locations. This temporary marketattracts many visitors because it sells various snacks that are rarely sold outside the fasting month.

In addition, "ngabuburit" (spending time before breaking the fast) and communal pre-dawn meals during Ramadan are still part of the community's habits. Two out of ten respondents stated that both activities are still popular in their residential areas. In fact, in several areas, these activities still involve attractions or traditional activities specific to the local culture.

Also read: Fasting as Cultural Heritage

KOMPAS/JUMARTO YULIANUS

The atmosphere of the 1445 Hijri Ramadan Wadai Market on RE Martadinata Street in front of the Banjarmasin City Hall, South Kalimantan, on Wednesday (27/3/2024). The Ramadan Wadai Market is an annual tourism event held by the Banjarmasin City Government. The Wadai Market is a place to hunt for takjil and ngabuburit, as well as a culinary tourism destination with typical Banjar flavor.

Whenngabuburit, for example, traditional activities such as kumbohan, sailboat racing, flying decorative kites, and bleguran, are still carried out. Likewise with mobile sahur which uses traditional musical instruments to wake up residents to prepare for sahur. This activity has different names in each region. In Banjarnegara, Central Java, this activity is called onclong. In Karawang, West Java, this activity is called ubrug-ubrug. Meanwhile, in Kalimantan, it is known as bagarakan sahur.

Interestingly, the various Ramadan traditions also invite enthusiasm from people from various age groups and different religious backgrounds. The results of the Kompas poll stated that the Ramadan tradition is still often carried out by people from various circles. This shows that the fasting month is also a relatively important moment for other people. The whole community is happy to welcome Ramadan and enjoy the various characteristics of the fasting month.

Preserving Ramadan traditions

The Ramadan tradition that has been going on for so long is hoped to continue to be preserved. Nearly all respondents agree that the Ramadan tradition needs to be maintained and nurtured. This is because various activities during Ramadan also add to the diversity of culture in Indonesia. In addition, these various traditions are also full of messages and meanings of togetherness and harmony in the archipelago.

Moreover, several traditions have been recorded as intangible cultural heritage at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology. There is the dhandhangan tradition which is a festival to mark the beginning of Ramadan in Kudus Regency, with the peak activity being the beating of the drums at Masjid Menara Kudus. There are also similar meaningful activities in other regions, such as the megengan tradition in Demak Regency and the nyadran tradition in several areas in Central Java. In the megengan tradition, residents come to Alun-alun Demak to gather and buy typical foods that are widely sold by traders during the event. Meanwhile, nyadran is done by visiting graves and eating blessed rice as a sign of self-purification.

Also read: Ramadan Shock Market Excites People's Economy

In addition to those traditional agendas, breaking the fast or iftar is also recorded as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. Although the designation is related to the culture in Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey, and Uzbekistan, the recognition became a strong reason to preserve the communal breaking of the fast activities that also exist in Indonesia.

The splendor of Ramadhan, which has existed since ancient times until now, will hopefully continue to color the festivities of the fasting month in Indonesia. As with takjil, other Ramadan traditions are part of the lifestyle of Indonesian people. Together with the tradition of Ramadan which has been around for generations every month of fasting, the spirit of tolerance, harmony and religiosity among the community can be maintained. (COMPAS R&D)