'Annual exodus far more than tradition'

'Annual exodus far more than tradition'

The massive exodus of travelers to their villages is a common
phenomenon in the country every Idul Fitri holiday session. For
some people, it is a nice tradition, but others have reasons. The
Jakarta Post talked to some people about it.

Supri, 37, has been selling papers for seven years in South
Jakarta. He resides in Kebayoran Baru with his wife and two
children. He will go back to his hometown in Purwokerto, Central
Java:

It's really hard to describe my feelings why I should go home
in observance of the Idul Fitri celebration. Generally speaking,
I go home to maintain the tradition. But, actually it's much more
than just a tradition.

The last time I went home I could feel how my neighbors stared
at me. It looked different than the previous few years. It seems
that they were thinking that I'm well off now despite the fact
that I have to struggle day and night to make money in Jakarta.

But, you know there is a stream of pride in my heart. In
addition, the arrivals of all the children who have been working
for years in the big city really make their parents happy and
proud. It proves to them that they were successful in raising
their children.

I don't deny that the occasion usually just degenerates into a
showcase of success for formerly rural people. I too am proud to
walk around the village and show that I am supporting a family
with children. These are feelings that hard to describe.

Well, from the economic point of view, this kind of exodus may
mean a waste a lot of money. I have to spend more or less Rp 1
million to spend the holidays at home this year. But the values,
the pride are priceless I think.

I put aside the financial problems until the time we return to
the city. Of course I will be flat broke. But Jakarta is the
place where I can make money, right?

Parno, 22, a construction worker who has been working for a
year in Cipete, South Jakarta. He is returning to Ngawi, East
Java:

I think it is a must to go home for the Idul Fitri
celebration. It's important for me to get back together with my
family, relatives and friends.

Besides, I feel proud among my friends in my village. I feel
more fortunate than them sometimes as I can make more money in
Jakarta.

With our new clothes and fancy adornments, they probably think
that we are very successful, without knowing the day-to-day
hardships we face here.

Honestly, the family bond in me is so strong that I plan to
quit my job as a construction worker here. I am going to do this,
not because the money is bad, but rather the family reasons.

I can earn around Rp 30,000 a day as a bricklayer, which is
more than enough for me because I'm single. But the tough life
and the disorder of big cities often makes me homesick.

I will think it over before making the final decision whether
or not to go back to Jakarta for work. I plan to look for a job
in my hometown where I used to be a driver's assistant in public
bus. If I could earn say Rp 25,000 a day there, I would stay. My
main consideration is that I want to always be close to my
family.

Toni, 33, an employee of an advertising firm in Kebayoran,
South Jakarta, who has been working here for almost 10 years. He
resides in Bintaro with his two children and wife. He is going
back to his village near Surakarta, Central Java:

Actually, I don't have any obligation that forces me to go
home every Idul Fitri celebration.

My parents leave it up to me whether or not to make the trip
every Idul Fitri. Besides, I always keep in touch with my parents
by phone. I could go home any time to see them.

Economically speaking, maintaining such a tradition also means
wasting a huge amount of money, doesn't it? We earn money day and
night and save it, but then waste it in couple of days at home.

I'll go home this year because my youngest daughter wants to
see her grandparents in our village. This would be the first time
for her.

Apart from that, I think my family really gets pleasure out of
showing up their friends and neighbors (when they see my family
and our fancy clothes). If we did not come at Idul Fitri, the
neighbors and friends usually would start negative gossip about
us. They would think we had become too arrogant to visit after
becoming prosperous here.

So, in actuality, in an attempt to avoid unfavorable
prejudices among neighbors, I decided to go home this year.
Regardless of financial considerations, socializing can sometimes
be quite expensive.

Wasmalat, 17, who has been working in an iron welding workshop
in Semper, North Jakarta, for two months. He is going home to
Surabaya.

I'm a newcomer to the city as I have only been working for two
months. I realize that to survive in Jakarta is real tough.

However I plan to return after the Idul Fitri celebrations. I
just want to get as much experience as possible of life in the
big city.

So far I don't feel afraid of any hardship I might face later.
I have relatives here who will help me to get by.

-- Leo Wahyudi S