Eid al-Adha or Day of Sacrifice is a day of commemoration of Abraham (Ibrahim)'s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to a command from Allah and celebrated in 10 Dhu al-Hijjah in Islamic Hijri Calendar. This day is also special for Hajj pilgrims to perform tawaf and saee during Eid al-Adha. In Indonesia, Eid al-Adha is a very special day because people celebrate it with some vibrant traditions which have been done in past besides the performing Eid al-Adha prayer and qurban. Here are 15 unique Eid al-Adha traditions in Indonesia that you never miss out.
Meugang (Aceh)
Meugang is a tradition of cooking the meat and consuming to families, relatives, and even orphans and poor people in Aceh and Acehnese diaspora in North Sumatra and even Jakarta. This tradition has been done during Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha and the first tradition is come during the era of The Sultan of Iskandar Muda in Kingdom of Aceh. This tradition symbolizes as a blessing from Allah and also has the aim of strengthening family relationships. The tradition begins with slaughtering the animals, sharing the meat to the families, relatives, orphans, and poor people and cooking this meat for consuming. However, nowadays, people have skipped on slaughtering the animals instead of buying the meat from markets.
Grebeg Gunungan (Yogyakarta, Special Region of Yogyakarta)
This tradition is identical to the procession of Gunungan or kirab in Javanese. According to Cultural Office of Special Region of Yogyakarta, this tradition is held in Yogyakarta Palace as a commemoration of Eid al-Adha. There are 7 gunungans arranged in such a way in this tradition. The seven gunungans will be divided in 3 different places, namely the courtyard of Kagungan dalem Gede Mosque, Pendopo Kawedanan Pengulon, and Kepatihan and Puro. Many locals who come to watch will scramble for the farm goods that are paraded and they believe that if they are able to grab them, it means they will bring fortunes.
Ampitan (Semarang, Central Java)
This tradition originates due to intersecting months between Shawwal and Dhu al-Hijjah. This tradition begins with the performance of Kuda Lumping from Turonggo Seto. At that time, it was a medium for thanksgiving to God or Earth. But, over times, this tradition has been developed into a social activity for people in Sampangan, Semarang. Ampitan symbolizes a form of gratitude for farm goods that Allah gives. Residents who participate in this tradition will scramble to take the farm goods that become a procession.
Ngejot (Bali)
In the island province with a high concentration of people with believing in Balinese Hinduism, there is Muslim community in Bali celebrating Eid al-Adha with a unique tradition and that is Ngejot. Ngejot is a routine tradition that is held by Balinese to celebrate important religious days. For Balinese Muslim community, Ngejot is also held in several Islamic holidays, including Eid al-Adha. People do this tradition with sharing the food, drinks, and even foods to other non-Muslim neighbourhoods, including Majority of Balinese Hinduism neighbourhoods. This tradition symbolizes a form of gratitude from Balinese Muslim community to their neighbours with the high tolerance.
Gamelan Sekaten (Surakarta, Central Java)
The tradition of Gamelan Sekaten Performance is a ceremonial traditional Gamelan performance from Surakarta and held in Islamic holidays according to Javanese Calendar. There are 2 gamelans that are played in Gamelan Sekaten and those are Gamelan Kyai Guntur Madu and Gamelan Kyai Guntur Sari. Both gamelans are the inheritance of Kingdom of Islamic Mataram and are made in the reign of Sultan Agung in 1644 AD. In Eid Al-Adha, the performance of Gamelan Sekaten is held after the Eid Al-Adha prayer. Usually, many people who watch Gamelan performance will chew kinang (areca nut/betel nut). According to people, chewing kinang has an aim of getting longevity and they can watch this tradition in next years.
Manten Sapi (Pasuruan, East Java)
Pasuruan also has a unique tradition before Eid al-Adha, called manten sapi. In this tradition, sacrificial cows are bathed and beautifully decorated. The cows are given a necklace of seven flowers wrapped in a kaffan (shroud), turban and prayer mat. After that, all cows will be paraded to the mosque to be handed over to the committee of qurban (Islamic ritual sacrifice). The local community holds this event to honour the cows and sacrificial animals that will be slaughtered the next day.
Turon and Nyalase (Madura, East Java)
Madurese people have two mudik (homecoming) traditions during Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha and also going home during Eid al-Adha is called the turon and nyalase traditions. Toron in Madurese means “going down” where Madurese people who are migrating or working outside the area will return to their hometown. Meanwhile, nyalase in Madurese means nyekar or pilgrimage to the grave to pray or respect for the ancestors. This nyalase activity is usually done after the Eid al-Adha prayer.
Mepe Kasur (Banyuwangi, East Java)
Before Eid al-Adha, the Osing people in Kemiren Village, Glagah District, Banyuwangi hold a unique tradition called Mepe Kasur or Sunning the Mattress. The mepe kasur tradition is carried out from morning to noon. The uniqueness of this tradition is that all mattresses that are sunned in the same colours. Both are red and black. Black means longevity and red is courageous. This tradition takes place before the Eid al-Adha with the aim of rejecting bad luck and maintaining household harmony.
Bakar Batu (Papua)
The tradition of Bakar Batu or Burning Stone in English is a rich cultural heritage of the Papuan people, especially the communities living in mountainous areas and also known as ‘Barapen’ in their local language. This tradition has been an integral part of their daily lives and traditional ceremonies since ancient times. Beyond the process of cooking food, Bakar Batu is a symbol of togetherness, unity, and gratitude to nature and ancestors. Muslim communities in Papua celebrate Eid al-Adha with the tradition of Bakar Batu. This is a traditional way of cooking qurban meat (Eid al Adha sacrificial meat) using stones that are heated in a fire. Once it is hot, the stones are placed on top of leaves that have been seasoned with spices and pieces of meat. This tradition represents togetherness and mutual cooperation in Papuan society.
Gamelan Sekaten (Cirebon, West Java)
In Cirebon, there is a unique tradition in celebrating Eid al-Adha that is believed to be part of the preaching of Sunan Gunung Jati, the propagator of Islam in the area. This tradition is known as Gamelan Sekaten, which is played every Islamic holiday such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Gamelan music heard around the Kasepuhan Cirebon Palace area is a sign that the Muslim community of Cirebon is celebrating the day of victory. The gamelan begins to play immediately after the Sultan of Kasepuhan Palace comes out of the Great Mosque of Sang Cipta Rasa.
Accera Kalompoang (Gowa, South Sulawesi)
In South Sulawesi, especially in Gowa, there is a very sacred tradition in celebrating Eid al-Adha and that is Accera Kalompoang. This tradition is carried out for 2 consecutive days, starting the day before Eid al-Adha and continuing on the feast day itself. This tradition is an official ceremony to clean the historical relics of the Kingdom of Gowa at the King of Gowa's Palace or Balla Lompoa Traditional House. The celebration of Eid al-Adha through this tradition also serves as an effort to strengthen the relationship between the royal family and the government.
Kaul Negeri dan Abda'u (Maluku)
In Central Maluku, people from Negeri Tulehu maintain the unique Kaul Negeri and Abda'u traditions. The ritual begins after the Eid al-Adha prayer, where traditional and religious leaders carry three goats with cloth as a symbol of blessing. They walk around the village while praying and chanting takbir towards the mosque before the slaughtering process begins after Ashr. The tradition has been passed down from generation to generation, with the aim of warding off disasters and asking God for protection.
Lebaran Ketupat (Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara)
In Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, the tradition of Lebaran Ketupat is celebrated a week after Eid al-Adha by making and distributing ketupat as a symbol of togetherness and gratitude.
Marbinda (South Sumatra)
In North Sumatra, especially among the Batak community, Marbinda is the tradition of slaughtering sacrificial animals in mutual cooperation and the meat is distributed to all members of the community.
Garebeg Besar (Demak, Central Java)
Garebeg Besar is a tradition in Demak, Central Java, that involves a procession of mountains of crops such as fruits and vegetables that are then fought over by residents. This tradition symbolizes gratitude to God for the abundant sustenance and is believed to bring blessings.
