The uniqueness of Eid al-Fitr in Indonesia

Generally in countries with Islamic cultural backgrounds, congratulations on Eid al-Fitr do not move far from phrases like "Eid Mubarak." The phrase roughly means "a blessing holiday." This greeting is actually used both for Eid and Eid al-Adha.

In Indonesia a similar trend remains visible. For many regions set in Malay, the term Hari Raya is usually used to translate the word "Eid / Id," so that it is used to refer to the two Muslim holidays.

Usually Hari Raya is identical to Eid al-Fitr, while for Eid al-Adha it is added to become Hajj.

Along the coast of Sumatra, the Riau Islands, Kalimantan and the Malay Peninsula, people pronounce it in dialect variants such as: heraya, riraya, nautical highway, ari rayo. His words are usually preceded by the words: "Congratulations."

In Javanese, the construct "Riyadi", which means great day or holiday, is also used to refer to Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, as well as other religious holidays, such as Vesak, Nyepi or Christmas.

Then we also recognize Javanese words: "Sugeng Riyadi," which is equivalent to "Happy Holidays."

Other areas that have a thick pesantren culture, it seems more accustomed to give a designation that distinguishes each holiday.

So the term "Syawalan", considering Eid al-Fitr is celebrated at the beginning of the month of Shawwal Calendar Hijri - also commonly heard. Here the Eid al-Fitr remarks are synonymous with safely entering Shawwal.

However, we certainly know that the most common designation for Eid al-Fitr in Indonesia is the word "Eid."

Language experts believe this word is not based on Arabic or Middle Eastern traditions. However, not yet able to ascertain the exact origin of the word.

The most common opinion believes that this comes from the pre-Islamic habits of the Javanese people. Where after fasting people usually apologize to each other.

The word 'width' in the Old Javanese tradition is roughly identical to completion, which is interpreted as the completion of the fasting period. It is also marked by an attitude of peace and resolving all disputes.

Cultural experts noted the possibility of saints such as Sunan Bonang in the 15th century adopting this to become a custom in Islam.

Slowly, the word was synonymous with the moment of the holiday which was marked by activities to keep in touch.

So that Eid al-Adha is also called the Eid Hajj. In fact, the Chinese New Year celebrations in Javanese society are often referred to as the Lebaran China.

The characteristics of the Javanese narrative are somewhat similar to those narrated in the Sundanese tradition. Where besides the word Eid, the word boboran is also used. Meaning identical, fasting has finished.

But in Sundanese society, the word Eid can also be interpreted as an expression for abundance. So that it can be interpreted as an abundance of joy because of spiritual victory. Where goodness and willingness to forgive become an abundance of natural expressions.

The Betawi community also has a narrative similar to the second meaning in Sunda. The word Lebaran is interpreted as "broad and deep".

So, this holiday is interpreted as a form of breadth and depth of heart to ask and forgive one another and to expand and deepen the relationship.

We cannot conclude which narrative is most appropriate, it could be that the meaning is even more fluid in the present.

Speaking of the liquidity of meaning, there is another example of the most obvious. We certainly often hear the words "Minal aidin wal faizin," as a companion congratulations on Eid.

Some people believe this phrase comes from the poet Syafiuddin Al-Hulli during the Islamic era in Andalusia.

The phrase is actually not a complete Arabic sentence, but it roughly means hope: "May Allah) make us one of those who return and those who win."

Uniquely, for Indonesian people who don't understand Arabic, this phrase is synonymous with: "Sorry, physically and mentally."

Most likely this misconception stems from the song "Hari Lebaran" which has been so popular since the 1960s.

In the song that is nuanced with the Malay orchestra, the minal phrase aidin walfaizin was indeed compared to "Forgive both body and mind." So people think they are identical.

Reviewing the meaning of this liquidity, it seems we can say that Eid al-Fitr has been so integrated with the culture of the archipelago.

Source: FOCAL