UNAIR NEWS – Eid al-Fitr is one of the most awaited moments, especially by Muslims around the world. In Indonesia, preparations for welcoming Eid al-Fitr are carried out in various ways, such as returning homeward.
The social, economic and political dynamics existing in big cities invite more people. City residents, most of whom are immigrants, always return to their hometowns during Eid al-Fitr.
As explained by a lecturer in the Sociology program at Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) Universitas Airlangga, Prof. Hotman, this annual phenomenon of going home is a tradition that has become part of the customs of Indonesian people.
“The concept of visiting relatives in ‘mudik’ is bound by spirituality and culture. Religion and culture merge into one, so it becomes a tradition or custom, not just a habit, ” Prof. Hotman told UNAIR NEWS.
Furthermore, the underlying motive for why people going in an exodus is the Javanese concept called ‘keluarga kangen’ or longing for family. The family long for others and of course to their village, the place where their parents reside.
“In the Javanese tradition, this parent’s hometown is called Pepunden. It is the root where they were born, ” stated one of the senior lecturers of FISIP UNAIR.
According to Prof. Hotman, there is one unique thing that can be studied sociologically from this mudik tradition. Despite the information technology advancement in the community, people still going through the distances to return home. It is obvious that even though people are getting easier to communicate through their devices, people still return homeward to see their relatives physically.
With various public facilities such as longer toll roads, more diverse public transportation and community services such as in free transport services offered to the public, people will get easier access to return to their hometowns. (*)
Author: Firman Wijaya
Editor: Feri Fenoria Rifa’i
