Betawi people have a number of traditions before fasting or Ramadan. This tradition is a local wisdom that is still preserved today. Usually, Betawi people carry out the pre-fasting tradition with their families. The tradition is generally carried out a week to one day before Ramadan.

1. Nyorog

Nyorog is a Betawi tradition before fasting, which is thought to have existed since the 1800s, as quoted from the DKI Jakarta Provincial Cultural Office website. This tradition is carried out by sharing food parcels with relatives and families who live far apart. This is because the Betawi people in ancient times had residences that were far apart from each other because forests and gardens limited them. This tradition was initially introduced by the guardians when spreading the teachings of Islam. Apart from welcoming fasting, the nyorog tradition is also carried out during Eid al-Fitr and wedding ceremonies.

2. Munggahan

Apart from the Betawi people, the munggahan tradition is also known among the Sundanese Muslim community. Launching from the Bandung City Culture and Tourism Office page, munggahan comes from the Sundanese munggah, which means literally ascending or ascending to the holy month which has a higher degree. Quoting from Tribun Jabar, munggahan is a form of community gratitude to Allah SWT and an effort to cleanse themselves of bad things over the past year.

Munggahan also aims to prevent people from doing bad things while fasting during Ramadan. There are various activities in the munggahan tradition, such as gathering with family, eating together, forgiving each other, and praying together. In addition, some Muslims visit tourist attractions with their families, make pilgrimages to family graves, or practice munggah alms, which are alms the day before the Ramadan fast.

3. Ruwahan

The following Betawi tradition before fasting is ruwahan or rowahan. Quoting the Bekasi Culture and Tourism Office page, the ruwahan tradition is the closing of recitation and preparation for Ramadan. In ruwahan, usually one family gathers and reads Yasin together, plus tahlil and shalawat to the Prophet Muhammad SAW. After that, the event is closed by eating together with Betawi specialties, such as vegetable ketupat, stews, pickles, and small cakes. Some Betawi people also interpret ruwahan as an almsgiving activity.

For example, in ruwahan, Betawi people invite their closest neighbors and give them necessities in preparation for Ramadan. Ruwahan is a form of gratitude for sustenance from Allah SWT as well as a momentum to pray for family or relatives who have died.

4. Nyekar

The nyekar tradition is a pilgrimage activity, praying for parents, family, or relatives who have passed away, as quoted from the DKI Jakarta Culture and Tourism Office page. Not only the Betawi people, the nyekar culture is also carried out by the majority of Muslims in Indonesia before entering Ramadan. In various regions, this tradition is called sadranan or nyadran. In addition to praying, pilgrims also come with jasmine flowers, roses, and rose water to sprinkle on the gravel. Read also: Stories of Indonesian citizens fasting in New York US, the duration of fasting can change.

5. Merang

This tradition has been popular since the 1950s, as quoted from the DKI Jakarta Culture and Tourism Office page. In this tradition, Betawi people will crowd the riverbanks ahead of Ramadan to do mass shampooing using merang. Merang is a dried rice stalk that is burned and then soaked. The traditional material is used as a substitute for soap and shampoo.

The Merang tradition is carried out by various groups and ages, from children to older people. The Merang tradition means cleaning yourself and your heart ahead of Ramadan.

Source: travel.kompas.com