{
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    "data": {
        "id": 1627118,
        "msgid": "prepegan-a-local-wisdom-tradition-one-day-before-eid-in-pantura-1774011084",
        "date": "2026-03-20 19:02:00",
        "title": "Prepegan, a Local Wisdom Tradition One Day Before Eid in Pantura",
        "author": "Irvan Sihombing",
        "source": "MEDIA_INDONESIA",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Anthropology",
        "summary": "The Prepegan tradition in Central Java's Pantura region sees communities flocking to markets one or two days before Eid al-Fitr to purchase essentials like ketupat casings for the symbolic rice dish eaten during the celebrations, embodying local wisdom and cultural unity. Cultural expert Atmo Tan Sidik explains that this ritual, dating back to the 15th century with Sunan Kalijaga, serves as a final check on household needs and carries deep symbolic meaning of seeking forgiveness and acknowledging mistakes. Similar customs persist in neighbouring countries, highlighting the enduring significance of these practices in fostering family gatherings and communal harmony during the festive period.",
        "content": "<p>One day before Eid, communities in the Pantura region of Central Java\nare busy with a distinctive tradition known as Prepegan. This involves\nthrongs heading to markets to buy various Eid necessities, including\nketupat casings, which will be used to make ketupat consumed after\nperforming Eid al-Fitr prayers.<\/p>\n<p>In Brebes Regency, a hub for this tradition, residents, particularly\nwomen, flock to Brebes Main Market for Prepegan. Not only do they buy\nready-made ketupat casings, but impromptu traders also offer on-site\ncasing-making services.<\/p>\n<p>Pantura cultural expert Atmo Tan Sidik explains that the Prepegan\ntradition serves as a final check on household needs not yet available\nbefore Eid. \u201cThere are two types of Prepegan: Prebegan Cilik on H-2 and\nPrebegan Gede on H-1 before Eid,\u201d Atmo clarified from his home in\nMarpangat, Tegal City, on Friday (20\/3\/2026).<\/p>\n<p>According to Atmo, the ketupat casings will later be filled with rice\nand boiled to make ketupat or lepet. This dish is eaten after Eid\nal-Fitr prayers as a symbol of seeking forgiveness and acknowledging\nmistakes. \u201cEating ketupat or lepet has symbolic meaning, namely\nadmitting mistakes and asking for forgiveness,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<p>The tradition of consuming ketupat during Eid has existed since the\ntime of Sunan Kalijaga in the 15th century. Today, similar traditions\nare found in other countries, such as Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, the\nPhilippines, and southern Thailand.<\/p>\n<p>Yayah, 59, a resident of Pasarbatang Ward in Brebes, says she is\npleased to welcome Eid 2026 as family members from outside the area can\ngather. \u201cThose who eat ketupat are usually the family at home,\u201d she\nstated.<\/p>\n<p>It is known that Prepegan is an important tradition for Javanese\nsociety, especially in Pantura, carried out one to two days before Eid.\nTraditional markets become extremely crowded, seasonal traders emerge,\nand purchases of fresh food ingredients, ketupat leaves, and clothing\nincrease dramatically. This tradition reflects local wisdom and\ncommunity solidarity in welcoming Eid al-Fitr.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/prepegan-a-local-wisdom-tradition-one-day-before-eid-in-pantura-1774011084",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}