A Muslim housewife in Denpasar, Nedrawati, sent packages of steamed rice, cooked meat and vegetables to her neighbors and relatives on Tuesday.

"I like this moment of sharing. It gives me a lot of joy to be able to announce the arrival of Lebaran through this gift of food,' she said.

She disclosed that it was a reciprocal tradition as her Hindu neighbors always sent her packages of food for Hindu festivals.

'When Galungan arrives, my Hindu neighbors always send me food and fruit. Since Galungan is celebrated once every six months, I receive the gifts twice a year,' she said, referring to an important Hindu festival.

Ngejot tradition is observed widely in the island's old Muslim villages, where residents have enjoyed warm and harmonious relations with Balinese Hindus for centuries. During the island's feudal period, local Muslims won the trust and favor of the local rulers due to their fierce loyalty in bloody battles. In Karangasem, a kingdom once known for its military prowess, the kings trusted local Muslims so deeply that they were assigned to guard the royal temple and heirloom weapons and were sometimes appointed as royal guards.

The old Muslim villages include Pegayaman in Buleleng, where local Muslims have adopted Balinese first names, Saren Jawa in Karangsem, where Muslims speak the high Balinese dialect, and Kepaon in Denpasar, where Muslims perform dances during Hindu rituals at the local palace.

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