Hi all. How are you? I hope all is well. Some time ago, I visited a hamlet in Temanggung, Central Java. I attended a peace celebration held by the village. The celebration is the Peace Nyadran. This is my first time following the agenda. This celebration is very solemn and I feel peace in the celebration.
In Indonesia, Nyadran is a tradition of cleaning the village and eating together. However, the Nyadran celebration that I participated in was very different. This tradition brings together two villages of different beliefs. Meet in a place that has been cleaned together. Each person brought enough food to eat together. I witness diversity and peace in this tradition.
Nyadran's transformation into Peace Nyadran which involved all elements of the Krecek community, including women, expanded the space for women's involvement not only in formal forums but also forums with local cultural nuances. Women's participation in this annual ritual opens new hope for the wider involvement of women in development.
On the other hand, apart from opening up as much information as possible regarding the latest developments and information in the village, the presence of women in NyadranPeace also encouraged several positive changes for Krecek women, including:
First, increase women's self-confidence. The presence of several government and community leaders from other districts and cities indirectly brought about an exchange of insights among the nyadran participants. Mothers who were physically present had the opportunity to interact and communicate directly with participants from outside the area who were present. The conversation that started with the food they cooked developed into an exchange of information and transfer of knowledge to outside participants regarding local wisdom in Krecek hamlet.
Second, the relationships within the family are also gradually changing. In this case, the encouragement of women's involvement in the nyadran ritual has consequences for changes in women's time management. For example, if in the past, women felt that they did not have to attend, then they became the main actors in preparing food and equipment for the nyadran. Logically, if a woman is interested in being involved, then she needs to ensure that her family members are also involved in preparing the food that is brought to the Nyadran event. So that women have enough time to rest at night, because in the morning the whole family is expected to be involved in a series of nyadran events.
I learned two things from Nyadran. I need to say thank you for a very valuable experience. I hope to see you again at the nyadran next year, for a longer time
Nurdiani Latifah
My name is Nurdiani Latifah. I currently live in Jakarta – Indonesia, after 25 years I live in Bandung. I am a media staff at an NGO in Indonesia. I have worked in this institution for almost 2 years on issues of women and peace. I had been a journalist in Bandung for 3 years.
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