Commemorating The Prophet's Birthday, The Kudus Community Holds A Carnival Of 1,000 Knocking Machetes

KUDUS - In commemoration of the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad SAW, hundreds of residents of Kudus, Central Java, held a tradition of kirab 1,000 machetes. Mentok pockets are woven containers of bamboo containing various snacks and become a struggle for the community.

A Carnival of 1,000 stuck machetes was held at the Al Mubarok Mosque, Demaan Village, Kota District, Kudus Regency, Central Java, on Monday, September 16 evening.

This tradition begins with carrying giant stuck machetes, which are followed by people who each carry machetes to their own knocks, then are trapped around the City of Kudus.

This tradition is a hereditary legacy of the people of Kudus Regency in commemorating the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad SAW. Machetes stock in the form of woven bamboo containers containing snacks, especially for children.

After the procession of the carnival, 1,000 stuck machetes were collected, prayed for, then distributed and became a struggle for the community, especially children and road users who passed.

The chairman of the commemoration committee for the Prophet's birthday, Handoko, explained that this annual tradition is one way to maintain the local culture of the Kudus people in commemorating the Prophet's Birthday.

According to him, this tradition has the meaning, "gilok" symbolizes a weapon, while "mentoque" means the end, which describes the oppression of women in the period of jahiliah and must end.

"Our values or souls towards Kanjeng Nabi are reflected in a container containing various market snacks that are presented to the community, especially for children and women. This is a symbol of the rise of women," Handoko explained as quoted by ANTARA.

He also added that the distribution of 1,000 stuck machetes was a form of gratitude and a way to get closer to the Creator.

Meanwhile, Nita, a resident of Demaan Village, admitted that she always looks forward to this tradition every year with her child. He said this tradition could only be found during the commemoration of the Prophet's Birthday and became a moment that the Kudus people had been waiting for.

"We look forward to a moment like this," he concluded.