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Twenties: 20 Indonesian rituals for Ramadan and Idul Fitri
From mudik (going home for a while) to megibung (eating together), these are 20 unique traditions celebrating Ramadan and Idul Fitri in Indonesia.
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'Mudik': People who live in different cities or urban areas visit the hometowns where they were born or to see their parents. (Unsplash/Fikri Rasyid) (Unsplash/Fikri Rasyid)
T
wenties' is a new column in which we give our top 20 list of anything and everything of interest, from food and history to pop culture and lifestyle -- and more.
Ramadan and Idul Fitri are widely celebrated by Indonesian Muslims. As the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, several regions in Indonesia have unique traditions in celebrating the holy month.
1. Mudik
Mudik, short for mulih dilik, translated as “going home for a while”, is an annual cultural tradition before the celebration of religious holidays, especially Idul Fitri. Some people go on the day of the holiday or the day after.
Mudik is used as an opportunity to strengthen relationships with relatives and family members. People who live in different cities or urban areas visit the hometowns where they were born or go to the homes of their parents. For those who live apart from their families, it is also a way to remember their origins.
2. Nyadran
Nyadran is an important tradition for people in Central Java. Magelang, Temanggung and Kendal are just some of the cities where it is commonly practiced. The tradition serves as a way of honoring ancestors and of expressing gratitude to the Creator. It consists of a series of activities, including cleaning family graves, cultural carnival and eating together, one month before fasting begins.
