Source: https://news.detik.com/foto-news/d-6026917/akrabnya-kenduri-ramadan-di-aceh/3
As it named, Khanduri buleun puasa referes to a feast in the month of Puasa or Ramadhan (the fasting month in Islamic calendar). Some of Acehnese people also called this feast as peutamat daruh or Khanduri khatam Quran, a feast celebrating the establishment of reciting Alquran during Ramadhan. The feast is done expressing gratitude for God’s blessing and gift for people, which enable them finishing the recital of Alquran;people, particularly male youths, usually recite entire Alquran to gather during Ramdhan.
The feast is usually held in the middle or at the half-end of Ramadhan (15-25 days of Ramadhan). People never hold it by the end of Ramadhan since they will be busy preparing the holy day of Idul Fitri; there are at least three traditions on this time zakeut fitrah (individual obligatory alms), makmeugang (day of preparing meats), and uroe raya (the holy day of Idul Fitri). In determining the time of feast, people in a village will also consider the time of similar feast in another village; they will prevent similar day to another village.
The time of feast will be discussed in a meeting led by geuchik (chief of a village). The meeting is usually held in the evening after tarawih (specific prays during the evening of Ramadhan). However, in some villages, such meeting is even held before the month of Ramadhan. Besides determining the time of feast, people will also discuss about ripee (obligatory contribution), which must be given by each family living in that village. The money collected will be used to buy cow and necessities for the feast.
On the day of feast, males will come to menasah or mosque to slaughter, to butcher, and to cook the cow. The work regarding feast is done in the principle of meuseraya (communal work). After Zuhur (noon pray), geuchik will call villagers to take the food, which has been prepared in meunasah. The special dish made of meat, which is usually cooked for feast, is kuah beulangong (light curry made of meat and young jackfruit or plantain); it is the specialty of people living in area of Aceh Besar, Banda Aceh, and surrounding areas. People will come bringing their container to get the dish; usually each family will get specific coupon to get curry.
For the feast, some people will give a set of dishes consisting of rice, side dishes, cake, and beverages, which are placed in idang (specific container) and served for break the fasting by the time of dusk. Whoever wants to bring idang has to inform geuchik to ensure that it will be enough for every guest. People will bring food form their houses since the afternoon. There is a specific rule stating that linto baro (newlywed couple) has to bring idang. The idang from newlywed couple will be served for their colleagues and relatives; idang from other people will be eaten together.
The interesting matter relating to khanduri bulen puasa is the establishment of social cohesion. In this feast, people from surrounding will also be invited to enjoy the dishes. Thus, the dishes of idang must be ensured to be sufficient for every guest.
Taken from the book “Encyclopedia of Acehnese Culture Jilid I” by Bustami Abu Bakar, 2018.
