Homecoming Tradition à la ‘Little’ People
Homecoming is a sacred phenomenon for lower-income groups. They feel obligated to return home during Idul Fitri to release homesickness as well as show their achievements.
Homecomers are crowded when they enter the ship at Tanjung Priok Port, North Jakarta, Saturday (15/4/2023). The Ministry of Transportation and PT Indonesian National Shipping (Pelni) are holding a free Lebaran 2023 mudik (homecoming, exodus) from Jakarta to Semarang. Until now, around 8,078 passengers and 3,568 motorbikes have been registered as participating in the free mudik program.
Like other nomads, the underprivileged people who live on the outskirts of the city also go on traditional mudik or homecoming trips to celebrate Idul Fitri in their villages. Money accumulated over a year of hard work can be used up in a week. But it does not matter because gathering with family members and relatives, paying respects to parents and tasting food in the village are priceless.
As the sun began to fall on the western horizon, Tamsari (47) rested for a moment at a shop near the Kramatjati Market vegetable stall, East Jakarta, on Saturday (8/4/2023). While stretching his legs, the porter counted the money he earned after working for four hours starting at 12:00. Three of his fellow porters sat next to him.