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At the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting for Muslims, millions of Indonesians leave the larger cities where they work to return to their home villages. This extreme migration shuts down businesses in the cities, as close to 30 million people embark on this pilgrimage. It has become a tradition in Indonesia to celebrate the Muslim holiday Lebaran to go on an exodus – or what they call “mudik,” which means “going home.”
The journey from the big city to the small villages can be long and arduous, and can cost the equivalent of several weeks worth of salary. Hundreds of people die en-route annually. This fact doesn’t deter locals from making the pilgrimage. The International Herald Tribune reports that almost one-third of the capital of Indonesia, Jakarta, will leave the city.
This is not only a time of reconnecting with relatives, but also a time to flaunt one’s wealth, even if it means spending all the money they have just to do so! Some show off by buying a motorcycle for the trip, though many have died as a result, due to the fact that an entire family will try to ride for several hours on one motorcycle. The event poses as a vehicle to distribute wealth to the smaller villages on the outskirts of the larger cities, as one of the traditions involved is to bring gifts to family members. This expedition has become an integral part of the Indonesian culture, affecting even those who do not participate.
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