Why People Buy Zamzam Water at Tanah Abang Market: From Souvenir to Personal Use
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – A five-litre Zamzam water bottle is widely available for sale in Block A of Tanah Abang Market, Central Jakarta, with prices reaching Rp 350,000 to Rp 400,000 per gallon.
Demand comes not only from pilgrims who have just returned from Umrah, but also from residents who regularly consume it for personal needs.
Signboards reading with ‘Mekkah’ and ‘Pusat Grosir Kurma’ line the kiosks. Racks are filled with boxes of dates, sajadah, tasbih, and Zamzam water gallons arranged at the front for easy visibility by shoppers.
On one side, piles of dates are stacked high in a large red container. Several workers sit on small benches waiting for customers, occasionally watching people stop to browse.
In this atmosphere, five-litre Zamzam water gallons are among the items most often inquired about.
Shoppers come with different aims. Some intend to bulk buy as souvenirs after the pilgrimage, while others routinely buy for personal consumption.
For some residents, Tanah Abang is a choice because it is easily accessible and stock is available without having to wait for the Hajj season. They do not need to carry extra weight from the Holy Land. They simply come to Tanah Abang and take home the Zamzam water they need.
Yani, one shopper interviewed at the site, says she intentionally buys extra Zamzam water at Tanah Abang after returning from Umrah. The share allotted during the pilgrimage she considers insufficient to be shared with the entire family and relatives.
‘Umrah indeed gives Zamzam allowances, but they are limited. While my family is large, not to mention close relatives and neighbours. It would be awkward if I only give to some. So it’s more practical to buy again here (Tanah Abang) so there’s enough to share,’ she told Kompas.com on Monday, 2 March 2026.
In one purchase, the amount taken home is not small. Yani says she can buy dozens of gallons to ensure everyone gets a share. ‘For souvenirs, it can be 10–20 gallons. So that everyone gets a portion, because the symbolic value of sharing matters,’ she said.
She also noted that Zamzam purchases are usually made after returning from the Holy Land, depending on when her Umrah departure is. ‘Usually I buy after returning from Umrah, depending on when I depart,’ she said.
Although it holds religious significance, Yani says price considerations remain when buying in bulk. She notes that price differences between Tanah Abang stalls are still taken into account before deciding to purchase. She usually walks around first to compare prices. The differences can be small, but sometimes significant.