Unique Traditions to Celebrate Islamic New Year

As people who live in a country with the largest Muslim population in the world, Indonesian Muslim have various ways and traditions to celebrating their religious holidays. One of them is the Islamic New Year 1445 Hijri, which fell on Wednesday, July 19 this year.

The celebration is usually marked by torchlight parades held in different regions. This activity has become a tradition on the night of 1 Muharram (Islamic New Year’s eve). People in villages as well as in big cities, including Jakarta, carry on this tradition.

There are children, teenagers, and even older people who would join the parade. Dressed in Islamic clothing, mostly in white, they will walk around their area carrying torches while praising Allah SWT.

Besides that, there are other ways to celebrate the Islamic New Year in various regions. You could find these longstanding traditions unique. You can even see how lively the celebration is by visiting the regions below.

5 Unique Traditions in the Celebration of Islamic New Year in Indonesia You Can Enjoy

Kirab Kebo Bule, Solo

The Javanese call the beginning of Islamic New Year (1st Muharram in Arabic) as “1st Suro”. On that day, a tradition is usually held to mark the special date.

Solo in Central Java is one of the cities which routinely holds Kirab Kebo Bule on the night of “1st Suro”. Word has it that this tradition has existed since Sultan Agung started spreading Islamic teachings in Java.

Kirab Kebo Bule is a parade with the presence of some albino water buffaloes (carabao) at Keraton Surakarta. An albino carabao is considered a sacred animal that could brings blessings and safety.

Tapa Bisu, Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta always has a unique tradition to celebrate each religious holidays, including the Islamic New Year. On the Islamic New Year’s eve, the Abdi Dalem Keraton (faithful caretakers of the royal households) usually hold a ritual called Tapa Bisu.

It is a ritual that is done by walking around the Keraton area for up to 7 kilometers without uttering a word. The ritual starts from the Keben Keraton yard and ends in Alun-Alun Utara (North Square) through several roads along the way.

Ngadulang, Sukabumi

The Sundanese, especially those who live in Sukabumi, have an equally unique traditions of celebrating the Islamic New Year. One of them is Ngadulang event or a parade in which they will hit double-headed drums called bedug at all times.

To make it even more lively, the District Government makes this parade as a competition that is open to all residents. It must be very exciting!

Nganggung, Bangka Belitung

Islamic New Year celebrations are common not only in Java, but also in Sumatra. One of the traditions is Nganggung, which is held in Pangkal Pinang, Bangka Belitung. In this tradition, people will gather in mosques and bring foods to be eaten later.

The tradition exists to symbolize their gratitude for the grace they have had from Almighty God. It is also another way for them to stay in touch and strengthen their relation.

Tabuik, Sumatra Barat

Besides Nganggung in Bangka Belitung, Sumatra also has another unique tradition carried out by the Pariaman people in West Sumatra. This tradition is known as Tabuik or Tabut, which means wooden box in Arabic.

However, in Pariaman tradition, Tabuik is made to resemble a Buraq, which is analogous to a flying horse with a female head. The process of making Tabuik will begin on the 1st to the 10th day of the first month (Muharram) of the Islamic calendar, and it will be paraded and finally thrown into the sea.

Those are some unique traditions of the Islamic New Year in some regions in Indonesia. Which would you like to see? Wherever you choose to go, always use TRAC car rental service to ensure your safety and comfort during your journey.

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