Aren’t we all in a festive mood! With Hari Raya just around the corner, the Koolred Team is gearing up for a fabulous celebration. This festive occasion is a much-anticipated event that’s greeted with great joy and excitement. Celebrated by Muslims all over the world, Hari Raya marks the end of Ramadhan which is a month of fasting.



Last year we gave you an insight on how Hari Raya Aidilfitri is celebrated in Malaysia. This year we collaborated with Redster An Nur Khairisa who was thrilled to share with everyone her Raya experiences in Indonesia. So without further ado, let’s find out how this joyous affair is celebrated in Indonesia.

Redster An Nur hails from Jakarta, Indonesia and gives us a heads up that this festival is also commonly referred to as Lebaran by the Indonesians. Lebaran brings with it many unique traditions that are common practices in Indonesia:

Everything’s New
For most families, Lebaran is a time for new clothes and new furniture for the household. During the Ramadhan season, parents will buy brand new clothes for their children before getting something for themselves. Departmental stores and markets will be flooded by people as they try to get as much shopping done before the big day. On top of this, some families will be busy renovating and repainting the walls of their houses to welcome this auspicious event too.


An Nur in her brand new red and white traditional attire

Mudik
It’s tradition for families to take their annual journey back to their hometowns. This tradition is known as Mudik where Muslims will reunite with their parents and relatives as they make long queues for bus or train tickets to return home. Roads will be flooded with overloaded vehicles for hours, but all this pain and inconvenience is simply worth it!


Mudik and Lebaran are inseparable

Traditional Raya Food
One of the best things to look forward to during Lebaran is the open houses. Friends are invited to visit houses and the guests will be treated to special Raya cuisines. A definite must-have when you’re at an open house is ketupat. This sticky glutinous rice dumpling is boiled and compacted through coconut leaves that are woven into square shapes.


Must-Have: Ketupat

Ketupat is a common dish and is usually eaten with satay and spicy peanut sauce (also known as kuah kacang or satay sauce). However during Lebaran, these square rice cubes are often eaten with beef rendang, opor ayam (chicken in coconut milk), sambal goreng ati (spicy beef liver) and sayur labu siam (chayote soup).


Rendang, opor ayam and sambal goreng ati to go with your ketupat

Home Baked Goodies
While many of us love the Raya must-haves like ketupat and rendang, home-made cookies are much loved during this festive season. Cookies like Kue Nastar (pineapple cookies), Kastengels (cheese cookies) and Puteri Salju (snow white cookies) are surely to please guests during their visits. If you’re unsure of which cookies to buy, stay safe and get everyone’s favourite, chocolate chip cookies.


Kastengels


Nothing beats homemade choc chip cookies!

Sungkeman and Halal Bihalal
The young will kiss the back of their elders’ hands as a way to express their affection sincerely. This is the tradition of Sungkeman where they will give honour to their parents and relatives. It is also believed that forgiving someone during Lebaran carries more weight than any other day. During this day, family gatherings called Halal Bihalal are also conducted where mutual begging or pardon is practiced then.

After paying respect to their elders, families would visit their friends and relatives to celebrate this happy occasion together which usually last for about a month.


All happy smiles with relatives

Nyekar
On Lebaran, some Muslims conduct the pilgrimage tradition or as Indonesians call it, Nyekar. Nyekar (to put flowers on the graves) is a tradition of visiting family ancestors' graveyards to pay respects. Family members will gather together with prayers and remembrance as well as laying a wreath on the tomb.



Money Packets
Much like the Chinese with their Angpau customs, the Muslims distribute green packets filled with money to the younger ones and it’s one of the most anticipated events during Lebaran. Sharing money is a form of gratitude by the Muslims as they believe they will be given sustenance and blessings of Allah SWT through their generous gestures.


An Nur is happy with her money tokens

It’s interesting how Raya is celebrated in such unique ways in Indonesia! As Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a time for giving, we have Raya-themed Koolgifts for you to send to your Muslim friends on Koolred. So spread the cheer!



We haven’t forgotten about our Muslim Redsters as well, we have a new “Hari Raya” theme for you to apply on your profile page!



It was interesting learning about the Raya celebrations in another country.
Koolred would like to give big thanks to our helpful Redster An Nur Khairisa. Not only has she shed light on the celebrations of Raya in Indonesia, but she also aided in contributing her brilliant photos to this special post! We couldn’t have done it without you!