Andilan Potong Kebo, a Betawi Tradition to Celebrate Eid
Reported by Folmer | Translated by Maria Inggita
The Jakarta Provincial Government, under the leadership of Pramono Anung and Rano Karno, continues to promote Betawi traditions, ensuring they are more widely known and preserved.
"Today we are reviving a very old Betawi tradition,"
A buffalo slaughtering ahead of Eid al-Fitr, known as Andilan Potong Kebo, is one of old Betawi traditions revived by the Wali Amanah Majelis Kaum Betawi.
Transjakarta Collaborates with Young Artists to Paint on BusToday, Jakarta Vice Governor Rano Karno was even moved to tears while handing over a buffalo to be slaughtered as part of Betawi-style Eid celebration at Ragunan Agroedutourism, South Jakarta,
Rano reminisced about his childhood, recalling how his parents would pool money to buy a buffalo a month before Ramadan and slaughter it two days before Eid.
"Alhamdulillah, today we are reviving a very old Betawi tradition. I am so proud and happy that we are starting to revive our Betawi ancestors' traditions," he expressed, on Saturday (3/29).
He expressed his gratitude to Fauzi Bowo and Betawi elders who initiated the Andilan Potong Kebo event.
Rano committed that similar events will be held in six cities and regencies throughout DKI Jakarta next year so that Jakarta residents can experience Betawi traditions once again.
"Andilan Potong Kebo tradition is a symbol of celebrating Eid al-Fitr with happiness in our hearts. This is the spirit of mutual cooperation in the Jakarta community," he said.
Meanwhile, Betawi Customary Council Chairperson, Fauzi Bowo, explained that the Andilan Potong Kebo tradition is being revived because it was almost forgotten.
He hopes that this event can be continuously held with government support.
"Alhamdulillah, Bang Anung and Bang Doel have a strong commitment to developing Betawi culture," he uttered.
Fauzi Bowo further shared that the tradition of slaughtering buffalo instead of cows during Eid stems from the historical influence of Hindu beliefs in the community.
"At that time, there were still many Hindu beliefs in Jakarta that respected cows. Therefore, the Betawi people chose to slaughter buffalo instead," he concluded.
