Malam Tirakatan

Preparing the food

"Malam Tirakatan” or literally means ‘a night of reflection’ was the time when we gathered with our family and neighbors, be it children and adult alike to celebrate as well as contemplate the meaning of being independent. Yes, this so-called Malam Tirakatan was a celebration specially designed and prepared by the neighbor in the communal and cooperative attitude in the eve of Independence Day Celebration the following Day. It was August 16 in the evening and we did this Malam Tirakatan to remember the sacrifice the national heroes and local heroes had mad and given us so that we live in this independent country and nation called Indonesia. This ‘Malam Tirakatan’ is an annual celebration carried out across the nation in the Eve of our Independence Day. I think I was lucky and blessed to be home in time for this annual event. Indeed, it was a simple and yet meaningful occasion since it was carried out during Ramadan (Fasting Month), so the whole guests—the whole community—from our neighborhood came and brought along their food to share. It was pretty much just like a POT LUCK party, in that it differs only in the momentum. It was in Ramadan and meant to celebrate the Independence Day. What a touching way to spend the evening together.

Cheerful children

I was moved and touched by the voluntarism and the cooperation as shown by my neighbors. They came and shared the food and beverages with all of the people. It was indeed a great time to spend and a great sight to behold. The traditional food, as well as the modern one, was wrapped up together. Nasi kuning or yellow rice was also served since it resembled the welfare of the community. The kids came with their fathers and mothers. The women in the neighborhood came early to prepare the food. Mbak Yuni—my childhood friend—prepared the specialties of the day: Soto Ayam ‘traditional chicken soup’. When it was ready, ibu-ibu (the mothers and women) in the neighborhood prepared them in the dish and were ready to serve all the guests. Oh, one particular drink that I noticed was Teh Rio ‘Rio Tea’. Rio is the brand name of the tea. It would not have caught my attention, had its name not been ‘Rio’J. My daughter—Eyra—as also keen in noticing this particularly named tea. Now, whenever I go ….my eyes would instantly notice the word Rio. It turned out that this tea is famous in East Java region. The same goes for Siiiplah (brand name) apple juice from Kusuma Agrowisata Malang—a special beverage made from the extract of apple originated from Malang (a town in East Java). This brand is also one of the most sought-after brand for juice in East Java. (hmmm, I guess I caught up some things while being home this time).

In the pictures that I uploaded here: kids and adults alike were all sitting on the mattress where food and drinks were laid in front of them. They were sitting in a circle around the food.  After some speeches made my father and the head of the neighborhood, and the prayers were performed, we all ate up the food and had the leftover brought back home to enjoy afterwards.

I think this kind of event may seem trivial for some, after all the kids as the younger generations may see and look at the meaning of Independence as something varied in nature. They may have different opinion as to what being independent means; but the essence of being together as one family; as one neighborhood, as one nation cannot simply be ignored. It is through this seemingly simple ‘Malam Tirakatan’ that the meaning of togetherness is energized and strengthened—especially among younger generations.

Pssst: I ate a lot. So did my wife…and kids, too. We enjoyed it very much.