Discovering Unique Ngabuburit Traditions Across Indonesia

During Ramadan, “ngabuburit” is likely one of the most familiar words you’ll encounter in many parts of Indonesia.

This word is borrowed from the Sundanese language and has become a terminology used widely by everyone to describe the activity of waiting for the breaking of the fast (iftar) to come during Ramadan.

Some say the term ngabuburit comes from the acronym "ngalantung ngadagoan burit," which can be translated as walking around while waiting for nightfall. Others argue that it comes from the word “burit” itself, which means night.

Interestingly, Sundanese is not the only language that has a term for waiting for the breaking of the fast! Ngabuburit in Minang language is known as “malengah puaso”, which means diverting or guarding the fast.

In Banjar language, we know the term “basambang”, which means enjoying the twilight, although this word is now rarely used.

Besides the different terms, it turns out that the ways people wait for the breaking of the fast can also vary. Some regions have their own traditions during ngabuburit, from enjoying the twilight to catching “drunken” fish. Curious to know more?

6 Unique Ngabuburit Traditions That Only Exist in Indonesia

Decorative Kite Flying - Majalengka, West Java

In Majalengka, also known as the “City of Winds”, both children and adults enjoy spending their time flying intricately decorated kites in the open fields while waiting for the iftar time to come breaking of the fast These stunning kites, gracefully soaring in the evening sky, create a joyful atmosphere for everyone involved.

Mini Sailboat Racing - Surabaya, East Java

In contrast to Majalengka, Surabaya offers a unique experience with its mini sailboat races. At Kenjeran Beach, colourful sailboats adorned with cute illustrations and creative writings capture the attention of the crowd. People eagerly gather at the beach to participate in the races and socialize with one another.

Catching "drunken” fish in Kumbohan - Lamongan, East Java

When evening comes, the Bengawan Solo River that runs through the city of Lamongan will recede slightly, leaving many fish trapped in shallow water and mud.

At this time, many residents go down to the river to catch or collect fish to take home. This tradition is also found in other areas along the Bengawan Solo River.

Riverside Relaxation - Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan

Banjarmasin, known as the City of a Thousand Rivers, has a favorite spot for ngabuburit or basambang called "siring." Residents gather at the riverside to spend their late afternoons enjoying various activities, such as chatting with friends, skateboarding, or simply taking in the view.

Because it's so crowded, it's also one of the favourite places to hunt for takjil for breaking the fast. There's even a Wadai Market, aka the cake market, which is the culinary centre of Ramadan.

Lighting bamboo cannons or bleguran - Jakarta and West Java

In Betawi and Sundanese, "bleguran" or "bebeleguran" is an onomatopoeia that evokes the sound and images of cannons, but in a more localized version.

Sadly, this tradition has become increasingly rare for various reasons. Because this bamboo with a large cavity filled with carbide is like a cannon that shoots bullets and produces a loud bleguran sound.

This traditional cannon is often played by children before breaking the fast, while playing other traditional games.

Enjoying afternoons at Iconic Mosques

As Iftar approaches, many people go on safaris to enjoy the beauty of iconic mosques in their neighbourhoods.

You can enjoy the afternoon at the Grand Mosque of Bandung's square, the bustling city atmosphere at Cut Meutia Mosque in Jakarta, or the stunning beachside view from the floating mosque in Makassar.

Besides appreciating the architectural beauty and ambiance, you can also deepen your religious knowledge while spending time at the mosques during ngabuburit. Some larger mosques often hold lectures to fill the time before concluding with a communal iftar.

Enjoying afternoons while ngabuburit is always a joy, particularly when shared with you friends and loved ones.

Unfortunately, in some places, especially big cities, the time around iftar can be rather hectic, leading to many people having to go through ngabuburit amidst heavy traffic.

Choose TRAC's car rental services to cater to your transportation demands during Ramadan.

By choosing TRAC, you can enjoy the flexibility of visiting your desired destinations without having to think about parking locations that are often troublesome.

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