For Indonesians, being aware of one's limitations and the errors one makes is so important, that we need to talk about it in more detail. One celebration is especially important to reveal essential aspects of the Indonesian mind and soul. During the Holy month of Ramadan Muslims throughout the world, including Indonesia, observe the fast that starts before daybreak and lasts to sunset. During that time they are not allowed to eat, to drink, to smoke, to become angry, to have improper thoughts and to have sexual intercourse. The fasting is meant to purify one's mind from urges of the flesh or our animal instincts. The women get up before 03.00 AM to prepare the early before the muezzin from the mosque calls for the first morning prayer. At this early hour it is bussier in the streets than usual. People go to the mosque for special early sermon and Korsn teaching. Others may prefer to take a quick nap before going to work. All day long there are religous programs on TV, on the radio and religious articles in the newspapers and magazines. The most difficult hours every day are those shortly before buka puasa, the breaking of the fasting when the mosques sound a siren and signal that it is maghrib. The women have already been busy in their kitchens for several hours to prepare the evening meal. There are special menus during Ramadhan and it is a custom to break the fast with a sweet warm drink and sweet dates. It is not a good isea to start eating immediately. After the meal the faithful hurry to the mosque for prayers and more religous teachings.
During the first two weeks of Ramadan everybody is getting into the rhythm of the fast, which is not very difficult. The early mornings are solemn. In the third week, two weeks before Idul Fitri, the atmosphere gradually changes and becomes more festive. Most Muslims are convinced that they will be strong enough mentally and physically to complete the fast without breaking it before maghrib. There are more and more Idul Fitri decorations and the shops begin to sell Idul Fitri cards. Christians would say that atmosphere is not unlike a Christmas mood. Schools and neighborhood mosques begin to prepare themselves for teh parades, called takbiran held after maghrib on the last day of Ramadhan. Especially for the children this is one of the major events in the year. The participating schools and the mosques' youth groups prepare banners, torches adn mobile displays to be carried along. There is a committe - usually the subdistrict head is an invited member- that ranks all the exhibits and selects a winning group in each of number of categories as they march past the committee.
As soon as the siren sounds for the last time, announcing not only the end of the 30 days' long fasting, but also the end of the month of Ramadhan, the festivities erupt. People wish each other happy Idul Fitri and they ask forgiveness for mistakes made consciously or uncounsciously during the past year. Familes usually conduct a family prayer at home before participating in or simply watching takbiran. During takbiran the children chant Allahu'akbar (God is Great), while carrying home made torches, there are firecrackers and drums sound without stopping. TV stations broadcast Idul Fitri programs all night and will continue to do so during the nights to come.
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