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Malang village children find joy in 'sahur' activity during Ramadhan
A group of children in a village in Malang have embraced marching the streets ahead of sahur (predawn meal) during Ramadhan.
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The youth group regularly walks throughout Polowijen village during the fasting month of Ramadhan, waking up locals for 'sahur' (predawn meal). (JP/Aman Rochman)
R
hythmic sounds of traditional music and chants of "Sahur, sahur, sahur" could be heard on the streets of Polowijen village in Malang, East Java, on Thursday before dawn.
A group of children, aged between 9 and 13 years old, is regularly marching the streets of the village during the fasting month of Ramadhan, waking up locals for sahur (predawn meal).
Ten-year-old Firman Ikhsan told The Jakarta Post that he and his friends would gather at 2 a.m. at the Sunan Kalijaga mushola (prayer room) and grab their musical instruments that had been prepared prior to Ramadhan.
Some members wait at home and join the group in marching when it passes by.
The instruments can be anything, from kentongan (bamboo drums) to paint cans, as long as they make sounds.
Read also: Your healthy guide to Ramadhan
"Usually six to 10 children join the group in the march. But on the last 10 days of Ramadhan, only five or less will go, since many join the mudik [homebound exodus] with their family," said Firman.
Using humble instruments, the kids play music together, including trending dangdut songs or march songs of Aremania, the fan club of Malang's Arema soccer club.
"We usually circle the village for around one hour, ending the activity at 3 a.m. Then we go home to have sahur and return to the mushola for sholat subuh [dawn prayer] and to return the instruments," said Firman, adding that sometimes residents protested the group's activity, with some considering the music too loud. "Nevertheless, we're happy to be able to play [music] and wake people up to have sahur."
Mushola attendant Moch Hasan said that 10 years ago, children could be found sleeping at the small mosque. "After tadarus [Quran recital] at 10:30 p.m., they would go home for sahur and return to the mushola. After marching the village, they would have sahur and then return home after sholat subuh," he said.
"I'm happy that today there are children who still like to patrol during sahur and utilize the mushola during Ramadhan." (kes)
