Savouring Harisah: Cirebon's Century-Old Free Ramadan Tradition from a Yemenite Merchant's Legacy

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, The house looks worn by time. The paint on its walls is no longer smooth. The wooden windows are faded, and the white pillars on the porch seem to record the passage of time.

People might simply pass by when travelling along Jalan Pekarungan, Panjunan Village, Cirebon City, West Java. At first glance, there is nothing special about the old building.

However, it is from this house that one hundred portions of Middle Eastern cuisine, typical of Cirebon, are always distributed to local residents, just before the Maghrib prayer call.

If the sharp scent of spices begins to seep through the cracks in the windows of the old house with its Indische architectural style, then that is a sign that Ramadan has arrived.

On Saturday afternoon (21st February), ANTARA visited the house to take a closer look at the routine of the Panjunan residents, which only takes place during Ramadan.

The clock shows 2.23 pm. In one of the rooms, there is a long table covered with a batik-patterned tablecloth, on which there are styrofoam containers.

A thin wisp of steam rises from a large blue bowl. Inside, a thick but soft dough is mixed with coconut milk and goat meat.

A green plastic spoon moves slowly, stirring it with a regular rhythm. Lemongrass stalks and spice leaves protrude from the surface, spreading a warm aroma that rises and settles on the ceiling.