Dusk slowly turns to night. Children in the Jatiwaringin area, Bekasi, West Java, gather in the mosque courtyard. They carried torches, a traditional lighting device made of bamboo. After the torches were lit, the children paraded through the streets and alleys in their neighbourhood. A torch relay and a tradition passed down from generation to generation before the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan.
The torch parade is a tradition that is unique to Indonesia. The torch is a simple lamp made of pieces of bamboo filled with kerosene and wicking cloth. Indonesia had used this lighting device since ancient times when there was no electricity.
The torch parade is a tradition to welcome the coming of the holy month of Ramadan, introduced by Walisongo. Walisongo is a figure who spreads Islam with the method of spreading Islam by fusing Islam and Indonesian traditions. Another method is the use of wayang in the spread of Islam.
In the modern era, parades to welcome the holy month of Ramadan are still being carried out in various regions. But now, not only torches are used. But also percussion devices commonly used by marching band groups. As a substitute for bamboo torches, they also use flares.