In this time moslem in Indonesia and also all moslem in the world are celebrating Idul Fitri feast day that this time falls on 20 september 2009. Most Indonesian people believe in Islam and Indonesia is the biggest moslem resident in the world, so Idul Fitri feast day tradition is very unique and is different from moslem people in other States.

rice cake boiled in a rhombus-shaped packet of plaited

young coconut leaves

Before celebrating Idul Fitri, moslem fasts one full month in Ramadhan month where in Ramadhan moslem fasts from starting Predawn a few moments prior to dawn until Magrib, at fasting time, arresting hungry; thirsty without eating and drinking and also arresting other passion, like dander passion until breaking fast at magrib time. When evening, mosque a moslem place of prayer fulfilled by moslem to do evening prayer and tarawih prayer .

Before the end of Ramadhan, before Idul Fitri feast day, moslem obliged to pay a tithe in rice or money paid on last days of fasting month that is giving two litres and a half of rice or a number of money at that price to rightful claimant accepts them, like fakir and the poor.

Few days before Idul Fitri there is the habit of Indonesian moslem society that is not had by other moslem people in the world that is tradition of going upstream (mudik). Tradition of going upstream that is going home to native land to gather with an old fellow, grandmother, grandfather and folks, they go home by bringing child, wife. Usually going upstream done one week until one day before D day or started at the time of red calendar, national red letter day specified by government. At the moment of this going upstream they bring new clothes, new shoes, new sarongs, new white cloaks covering a woman’s head and body worn at prayer even they bring new clothes for the old fellow and family to be worn when Idul Fitri feast day and also beverage and cake to be served when day of celebration at the end of fasting month (lebaran)

To this going upstream , usually moslem people have far day before ramadhan drawn up it, because needing fare that by dozens, if it is true going abroad far from native land. Like to buying plane ticket, boat ticket, train ticket, bus, travel, or by using their own car even their own motor. It is not strange at the moment before this Idul fitri, traffic becomes crowded. Motor even also can be ridden by 4 people, 2 adults, 2 children, by bringing big bag. Railway station, airport, dock, terminal, fulfilled by everyone who will go upstream.

Braised Chicken in Coconut Milk

At the time of D day, Idul Fitri feast day, served the typical food, which usually served when lebaran moment, like rice cake boiled in a rhombus-shaped packet of plaited young coconut leaves (ketupat) and also other food which different each other every province in Indonesia, usually Braised Chicken in Coconut Milk , Beef in Soy Sauce, Spicy Coconut Beef, Spicy Sweet Chicken Liver Saute, Vegetables Cooked in Coconutmilk Besides that also served Pastries, Roasted Peanut and Beverages to be eaten by all family, and served to guests who come.

Before that in the morning done Idul Fitri prayer in the mosque and in the field . Usually new clothes have been worn, and after Idul Fitri prayer, moslem people forgive each other, shake hand, apologize to the all past mistake to old fellow, husband, wife, neighbour and family. Younger people usually visit to house of the elders by going around from house to house, so typical food of this Idul Fitri is usually served. The elders or everyone who has had production usually giving some money to younger ones when shaking hand and forgiving moment.

Spicy Sweet Chicken Liver Saute

I feel that tradition of this going upstream there’s only in Indonesia, even indonesian labor that works outside country, trying to go upstream when Idul Fitri moment comes.