Betawi people Welcoming Ramadhan

Welcoming Ramadhan

Month of Ramadan which will arrive in a few days for the Betawi people really look forward to. Anak Betawi since the age of seven have been educated both parents to fast. At first, half a day until midday. In fact, not infrequently those aged 10 years fasted until Maghrib. 


There is one trait of the Betawi people in welcoming the guests who come to the diamannya, ie hasten regaled guests. However, during the month of Ramadan during the day certainly did not treat the water will come out even tea or water.
Meekly Betawi people against Islam because since childhood has been 'Dibuang ngaji'. That is, the educated reading the Al - Quran. Chant for them a necessity. Therefore, in addition to school in the morning, the Betawi children on average chant on the afternoon or evening. No wonder the study-recitation, especially in the past, thrive in the township Betawi. Meanwhile, the adults Al - Quran in Mosques or Mushalla. Not only recite the Al - Quran, but also studied fiqh, Ushuluddin, law, and knowledge about Islam, in addition to Arabic to Sufism. They really hablum minallah and hablum minannas, devoted to God and do good to fellow humans.
A day of fasting month, in the villages the children beating the drum to welcome the coming of the holy month. They are beating the drum throughout the day until Maghrib. Just pause near midday and Asr.
Are so typical scene the day before Ramadan, the mothers and girls purification by shampooing or washing your hair with straw charcoal water on the outskirts of times that at the time the water was crystal clear. Understandably there has been no shampoo as it is now. It as a symbol of self-cleaning and to welcome the holy month.
The mothers cook better than any other day. Far in advance they had made a cake, such as dodol, wajik, rengginang, and tape uli. Anyway, during the Ramadan meals are served better than a typical day.
At noon their new bed. Until during Ramadan generally they can seal the Al - Quran three times. Every night all the Mosques and Surau (small mosque) is full of pilgrims perform Tarawih.
A month before Ramadan Betawi people are greeted with 'andilan'. That is, residents abuzz joint venture to buy a cow or buffalo that will be cut before Idul Fitri. Nearly every house involved a turn. No wonder there are villages to buy a buffalo or cow and 50 tails.
As a society strong in religion, of course, the Betawi people put aside all their meat cut for the poor. Ran Ramelan, in his book Condet Heritage writes that in this region once crowded when cutting buffalo. Thus tradition is still continued in the township-village Betawi.
A few days before Ramadan, as well as after the Eid al-Fitr, the Betawi people who visit the cemetery for many pilgrimages to the families who first left them. Betawi people are not familiar with the term 'nyekar'. But the grave pilgrimage.
Those residing in the township Betawi people do not worry about late meal. To prepare the meal, the Betawi people already get up at 1:00 or 2:00 in the morning. At these hours the youth around the houses, carrying or hitting a utility pole kencrengan exclaimed,''Saur ..... saur .... saur.'' Now there is a substitute with the orchestra dangdut.