Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country and it’s gearing up to celebrate Eid al-Fitr (known locally as Lebaran) next week. During this time, Indonesian workers return to their hometowns to celebrate with their loved ones, a phenomenon known as mudik.
With over 600 distinct ethnic groups, Indonesia is a melting pot of diversity. This is reflected in the traditional performing arts, mythology and folkore, food, and religious traditions of its people. Thus, most regions have unique Eid al-Fitr customs that are important to the communities that live there. Here’s a selection of some of the most intriguing ones.
Grebeg Syawal is a traditional celebration held in the city of Yogyakarta as a part of Eid al-Fitr festivities. The highlight of Grebeg Syawal is a large procession where a giant cone-shaped offering, often made of rice, is paraded through the streets. This offering, known as gunungan, symbolises prosperity, abundance, and a sense of unity. The procession is accompanied by various traditional dances, music, and other cultural performances, all aimed at expressing the joy and festivity associated with the end of Ramzan.
The gunungan is typically taken from the Sultan’s Palace in Yogyakarta and brought to a mosque or a significant location. People then gather to take pieces of it as a symbol of good luck and blessings for the upcoming year.
Perang Topat is a traditional cultural event celebrated on the island of Lombok. It involves a “rice war” or "topat war," where participants throw topat (a type of rice cake wrapped in coconut leaves) at each other. The activity symbolises harmony between Hindus and Muslims who live side by side on the island. Before the “war” begins, people will perform prayers and pilgrimages at the local graveyards.
This tradition can be observed in Bengkulu on the island of Sumatra. The word sayak translated to "coconut shell." In this tradition, dry coconut shells are stacked up to one metre high and then burned. The people here believe that fire is a link between humans and their ancestors; thus the tradition takes place solemnly, accompanied by many prayers during the coconut shell burning process. According to belief, the tradition has existed for hundreds of years.
The Motoboi Besar community in North Sulawesi has a tradition of welcoming Eid by observing Binarundak. This is a tradition of cooking nasi jaha together, a meal made of rice and cooked in bamboo stem. This dish has a savoury flavour from the coconut milk and heavy additions of ginger. According to beliefs, the Binarundak tradition of welcoming Eid is a means of offering friendship and gratitude to Allah. The ritual is carried out three consecutive days after Eid al-Fitr.
In West Kalimantan, the Meriam Karbit festival fosters a spirit of togetherness. The name refers to a traditional bamboo cannon that is crafted using bamboo tubes and filled with a mixture of kerosene (karbit) and other flammable materials. When ignited, the mixture creates a loud explosion, similar to the sound of a cannon being fired.
The festival is deeply rooted in the local Sasak culture and features local food, parades, and religious activities. During this time, groups of people gather together to build their bamboo cannons. They then set them off in the streets, creating an exciting and loud atmosphere. The explosions are meant to drive away evil spirits and bring good fortune for the coming year.
