Fasting Across Traditions

There are various meanings and traditions in carrying out fasting, this ritual is generally carried out to enable human beings to improve themselves, fortify the body, purify the spirit and elevate consciousness.

KOMPAS/YUNIADHI AGUNG

Ahmad Najib Burhani

Fasting is the practice of limiting oneself from eating and drinking, and has been carried out by various traditions across the world since time immemorial. Reasons for fasting include religion, culture, health and politics.

In Java, as written by Clifford Geertz (1964), fasting is a ritual practiced by many people of all class levels with the aim of "spiritual strength and intensity". Through fasting ritual, someone will be able to increase his or her supernatural power, spiritual strength or supernatural ability.