'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