Tunjangan Hari Raya (THR) has become an inseparable part of Eid\nal-Fitr celebrations in Indonesia. Besides being synonymous with giving\nmoney to family and relatives, this tradition is also closely associated\nwith the habit of exchanging old money for new notes before distributing\nthem in Lebaran envelopes. However, with technological advancements, the\nway people distribute THR is beginning to change, including through\ndigital transfers and e-wallets.<\/p>\n
When Did the THR Tradition Begin in Indonesia?<\/p>\n
The THR tradition in Indonesia has roots in the early years of\nindependence. In 1951, the cabinet of Prime Minister Soekiman\nWirjosandjojo provided allowances ahead of Eid al-Fitr to civil servants\nto help with Lebaran needs. This policy then sparked protests from\nprivate sector workers demanding similar treatment. Pressure came from\nlabour organisations such as the All-Indonesian Central Labour\nOrganisation (SOBSI), affiliated with the Indonesian Communist\nParty.<\/p>\n
In response to these demands, in 1954 the government began\nencouraging companies to provide \u201cLebaran Gifts\u201d to workers. This policy\nevolved and eventually became an obligation for companies to give\nfestive allowances to employees, which to this day is widely known as\nTHR.<\/p>\n
Why Is THR Synonymous with New Money?<\/p>\n
Besides serving as an allowance for workers, at the community level\nTHR developed into a tradition of sharing money with family, especially\nchildren. Many families believe this small token of appreciation can\nmotivate children to be enthusiastic about worshipping during Ramadan,\nsuch as fasting, reading the Quran, and performing Tarawih prayers.<\/p>\n
Uniquely, people often exchange old money for new denominations to be\ndistributed during Lebaran. This phenomenon has even given rise to\nvarious new money exchange services ahead of the holidays. Many people\nare willing to queue to get new denomination banknotes that will be put\ninto THR envelopes.<\/p>\n
According to anthropology expert from Airlangga University, Djoko Adi\nPrasetyo, this habit is inseparable from longer cultural roots. He\nexplained that the tradition of giving money during Eid al-Fitr is\nbelieved to originate from similar practices in the Middle East, which\nwere then adopted by Indonesian society and underwent acculturation with\nlocal culture.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome historical records from the Islamic Mataram Kingdom show that\nthis culture has occurred from the 16th to 18th centuries. Kings and\nnobles usually gave new money to the children of their followers during\nEid al-Fitr as a form of gratitude after performing the fasting\nworship,\u201d he said, as quoted from UNAIR News.<\/p>\n
According to him, giving new money also has symbolic meaning, namely\nrepresenting purity, cleanliness, and an expression of gratitude after\nperforming a full month of fasting worship.<\/p>\n
Shifting to Digital THR<\/p>\n
With the development of financial technology, the way people\ndistribute THR is now beginning to change. If previously new money in\nenvelopes was the main symbol of Lebaran, now some people are starting\nto give THR through bank transfers or digital wallets. Even, many young\npeople jokingly offer their account QR codes to be scanned by parents or\nrelatives during Lebaran gatherings.<\/p>\n
Although the form has changed, Djoko assesses that the social meaning\nof the tradition remains the same. According to him, THR still reflects\nvalues of affection, respect, pride in being able to share, and\nexpressions of gratitude to family and relatives.<\/p>\n
He also views changes in the form of traditions as natural in\ncultural dynamics. \u201cWe must also understand that culture is not eternal.\nAs long as the culture still has supporting communities, the culture\nwill remain sustainable. Conversely, if the community no longer supports\nit, the culture can erode or even disappear,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, for many Indonesians, the sensation of receiving an\nenvelope containing new money during Lebaran remains a unique experience\nthat is hard to replace, even as the era of digital payments\nadvances.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/existing-since-1951-why-is-thr-synonymous-with-new-money-1773913884", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }