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Eid al Fitr, or locally called “Lebaran”, is expected to fall on Monday, March 31 in Indonesia according to astronomical predictions.
In the lead-up to Eid, families clean and decorate their homes. The air is filled with the smells of “ketupat” (rice cakes), “opor ayam” (chicken stew), and “rendang” (spicy beef). The streets buzz with “pasar malam” (night markets) where people buy special foods, new clothes, and gifts for their families.
On Eid day, everyone in Indonesia dresses in their best clothes— “baju koko” for men, and “baju kurung” for women. The day starts with prayers at the mosque, followed by visits to family and friends. Elders are honored, and kids receive “angpao” (red envelopes with money) for good luck.
The open-house tradition is huge. Families invite anyone to join their celebrations, share meals, and enjoy their company. Expats often arrive back home from abroad to celebrate this day. In Indonesian, this is called “mudik” — the tradition of returning to one’s hometown to be with family.
Around 87% of Indonesia’s population identifies as Muslim, and therefore, Islamic holidays are usually a huge affair. Lebaran is one of Indonesia’s favorite times of the year and is all about community, food, and togetherness.
