Cemetery Guards Handful with Income Ahead of Ramadan
Reported by Suriaman Panjaitan | Translated by Anisah Mardhatilla
It has been a tradition every ahead of Ramadan, the public cemeteries (TPU) always crowded by visitors such as happened in Karet Bivak TPU. Thousands of residents visited the cemetery on Jalan Penjernihan Raya, Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta.
Normally, I get Rp 50 thousand until Rp 100 thousand per month. But today, I can pocket Rp 70 thousand per day
Nurchosin (56), a cemetery guard, said that Karet Bivak TPU always thronged by visitors every ahead of Ramadan. "If near Ramadan, it is always crowded, especially on Saturdays and Sundays,” said Nurchosin, Sunday (6/22).
The visitors always keep coming until a day before Ramadan and feastday of Eid Fitri. These high visitors also give a blessing for Nurchosin. “Normally, I get Rp 50 thousand until Rp 100 thousand per month. But today, I can pocket Rp 70 thousand per day,” said a man who has been working as cemetery guard for 20 years.
Approaching Ramadan, Beef Stock in Jakarta SafeNot only cemetery guard, flower and rose water sellers also flooded with sustenance. The high visitors also used by the sellers to raise the price.
Ipeh (38), a flower seller, said that the visitor activities always increasing ahead of Ramadan. According to Ipeh, one bottle of water and sow flower sold Rp 5,000 until Rp 10,000. "A packet costs Rp 10 thousand. I give discount Rp 2,000 per packet for those who buy more,” said Ipeh.
Rio (47), another cemetery guard said that the most visited grave ahead this Ramadhan which is also accidentally near with Jakarta 487 Anniversary is Mohammad Husni Thamrin’s grave. "Ahead Jakarta Anniversary, many people visit Mr. Husni Thamrin’s grave," stated Rio.
Syafruddin (54), a visitor from Bambu Selatan, deliberately chose to visit his father’s grave before fasting month. The man of four children stated, “Every year, we always make a pilgrimage since it is a tradition.”
Ernawati also said the same thing. Her visit to Karet Bivak TPU is to pray her parents and sow flowers. “It has been our tradition. We pray the deceased to be accepted in Allah’s side, and we hope to be more humility in fasting,” said Ernawati.
