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Home » Practical Information » Indonesian Customs and Culture
Indonesian Holdays and Commemorative Days
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Home » Practical Information » Indonesian Customs and Culture Indonesian Holdays and Commemorative Days
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While living in Indonesia we have many opportunities to enjoy long weekends and holidays as there are 13 national holidays proclaimed by the government. The government also declares that collective leave should be taken on some days, usually a monday or Friday, before or after a national holiday in order to create a long weekend. This policy is intended to promote domestic tourism. There are four types of holidays in Indonesia: religious, national, international and commemorative. Ones that are designated tanggal merah (literally red date, or a date that is designated in red on a calendar) signify national holidays when government offices, schools, banks, and most businesses are closed. Many of the dates of religious holidays vary from year to year, as they are based on other calendars. For example, the Muslim holidays are based on the Islamic or Jihriah calendar, which is 10 to 11 days shorter than the Roman calendar every year. Other holidays, such as Easter, Chinese New Year and Waisak are based on lunar calculations, as in other countries where these holidays are celebrated. Official Holiday Schedule for 2010:
Official Holiday Schedule for 2011
Religious Holidays in IndonesiaThe Indonesian government officially recognizes five religions: Islam,
Protestant, Catholic, Buddhist and Hindu. As Muslim holidays in IndonesiaThe dates for many Muslim holidays vary from year to year as they are based on the Islamic or Hijriah calendar, which is 10 to 11 days shorter than the Roman calendar. Satu Muharam or Tahun Baru Hijrah - Muslim New Year - 1st day of Muharam Marks the beginning of the new year on the Hijrah calendar. Maulid Nabi - Birth of the Prophet Mohammad - 12th day of Rabiul AwalMilad-un Nabi or Maulid (Mawlid) is the birthday celebration of the Prophet Muhammad. The month of Rabi’ al-Awwal (the First Spring Season) of the Islamic Calendar is well known in the entire Muslim world as Shahr al-Mawhid (the Month of Birth) of the Prophet Muhammad. The Prophet Muhammad was born in the Arabian city of Mecca on the 12th day of Rabi-ul-Awwal or the third month of the Muslim lunar year. In Indonesia, Muslims gather to recite special prayers of thanksgiving to Allah for sending the Prophet Muhammad as His messenger. Speeches and lectures are made in mosques and elsewhere about the life and instructions of the Holy Prophet. After prayers, sweets are distributed and perfume may be sprinkled on adherents. It is also a family occasion; people dress up in their best clothing and children receive money or gifts. In some cities in Indonesia, such as Yogyakarta and Solo (Surakarta), believers celebrate the Maulid by conducting parades or carnivals, reciting special prayers and singing holy songs which they called ‘Barzanzi’. The tradition is called the ‘Mauludan Festival’. During the festival there are competitions to win food, which the people believe has been blessed by the Prophet. Isra Miraj - Ascension of the Prophet Mohammad - 27th day of the 7th monthCommemorates the ascension of the Prophet Mohammad to Heaven. Prayers are held at neighborhood mosques. Hari Raya Idul Fitri or Lebaran - End of the Ramadan fasting month - 1 SyawalThe end of the month of Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting. Mass prayers
are held in mosques and large open Idul Adha or Lebaran Haji - Muslim Day of Sacrifice - 10th day of DzulhijjahCommemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son upon God's command. Falls at the end of the annual Haj pilgrimage to Mecca. Mass prayers are held in mosques and large open areas around the country. Animals are sacrificed and the meat is given to the poor. |
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Christian holidays in IndonesiaProtestant and CatholicChristian holidays fall on the same days as in other countries. The following
are national holidays: Wafat Isa Almasih- Good
Friday -Commemorates the death of Jesus. Hindu holidays in IndonesiaHari Raya Galungan - GalunganCelebrates the coming of the Gods and the ancestral spirits to earth to dwell again in the homes of the descendants. The festivities are characterized by offerings, dances and new clothes. Hari Raya Nyepi - NyepiHindu Day of Silence or the Hindu New Year in the Balinese Saka calendar. The largest celebrations are held in Bali as well as in Balinese Hindu communities around Indonesia. On New Year's Eve the villages are cleaned, food is cooked for two days and in the evening as much noise is made as possible to scare away the devils. On the following day, Hindus do not leave their homes, cook or engage in any activity. Streets are deserted, and tourists are not allowed to leave hotel complexes. On March 16 2010 Balinese Hindus will celebrate Nyepi or the Day of Silence. Commemorating the start of the Hindu New Year, Nyepi is calculated according to the Çaka lunar calendar and falls at the time of the new moon in the months of March or April each year. The coming year will be 1932. The name Nyepi comes from the root word “sepi” meaning quiet or silent. Although it is a national holiday enjoyed by Indonesian residents throughout the country, Nyepi is celebrated in particular on the island of Bali where the majority of the 3.5 million inhabitants follow the Hindu religion, as well as in Balinese Hindu communities around Indonesia. Hinduism in Bali bears only slight resemblance to the religion as it is practiced in India as the tenets of the faith frst brought to Bali from the 14th century Majapahit Kingdom of East Java, did not supplant the already existing strong religious beliefs and rich cultural life of the Balinese. Instead, Hinduism was blended with indigenous traditions and beliefs such as animism and ancestor worship to form a new and unique faith. In Bali religion is a very important part of everyday life and the people perform daily offerings to the gods and actively participate in the numerous temple festivals and rituals. Balinese Hindus also make offerings and perform temple rituals to placate demons that they believe personify the destructive forces of nature. On the day before Nyepi major offerings are made to the demons at village crossroads, where evil spirits are believed to loiter. Before every ceremony a cleaning ceremony or mecaru must be held to drive out the devils and spiritually clean the place. Read more about The Celebration of Nyepi in Indonesia
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| Halal-bihalal | Gatherings held for the mutual begging of pardon |
| Hari libur | holiday |
| Ketupat | Traditional rice dish, cooked in coconut fronds |
| Mohon Maaf Lahir dan Batin | Traditional asking for forgiveness of slights and sins |
| Mudik | Mass exodus of Muslims from urban areas at Lebaran |
| Tanggal merah | Red date on calendars, a national holiday |
Our thanks to AGI for their information on Maulud and Waisak for this article.
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/images in other countries, each of these religious communities in Indonesia
celebrate events that are important to their faith. Some of these are
national holidays, others are not. The Ministry of Religion
decides the dates on which religious holidays will be held each year.
The following are faith-based holidays that are national holidays (tanggal
merah) in Indonesia:
areas
around the country. Celebrated with the traditional dish ketupat and
visiting with family and friends. Charity donations (amal) are
traditionally given at this time. Just prior to Lebaran a mass exodus
(mudik) from Jakarta of over 3 million people occurs as residents
return to their villages to celebrate with family and friends. Begging
of forgiveness for any transgressions or slights in the past year is expressed
during visits, Mohon Maaf Lahir dan Batin. A Lebaran bonus, THR,
is traditionally given to all Muslim staff or employees prior to the holidays.
In urban areas halal-bihalal (mutual begging of pardon) gatherings
are held. This is the time of year when Muslims traditionally buy new
clothes.
Buddhist holidays in Indonesia
August
17th, Hari Proklamasi Indonesia - Indonesian Independence Day 
and
gifts of ampau (money) mark the day's activities. Dragon dances
are held and limited outdoor decorations are seen on businesses and homes.
Most Chinese merchants close their shops for at least one day and maybe
up to a week. Greeting cards can be sent to Chinese friends and colleagues;
many are available in the stores. The date for Imlek is based on the Chinese
lunar calendar. Government offices are open for business.
April
21st Hari Kartini - Kartini Day