Keramas Together In The Cisadane River Becomes A Unique Tradition For Tangerang Residents To Welcome Ramadan

JAKARTA - The Indonesian people have a variety of unique traditions in welcoming the holy month of Ramadan. One of them is the "Keramas Together" tradition carried out by residents of RW 02 Babakan Village, Tangerang District, Banten.

This tradition took place in the Cisadane River on Thursday, as a form of self-employment before entering the month of Ramadan.

Babakan Village Head, M. Ali Furqon, explained that this tradition has been passed down from generation to generation by the ancestors of the Tangerang City community and became part of a local culture in welcoming Ramadan.

In an atmosphere full of togetherness, hundreds of people from various ages gather to perform self-cleaning rituals. They carry shampoo and water, then together clean the body by throwing themselves or using a dip in the Cisadane River. This tradition not only symbolizes physical hygiene but also becomes a symbol of spiritual preparation ahead of Ramadan.

"In addition to welcoming Ramadan, the Keramas Bareng tradition contains deep moral values. This is a form of self-awareness, both physically and spiritually, before fasting," said Ali Furqon.

He also revealed that the Tangerang City Government, through the Department of Culture and Tourism, is proposing the Keramas Bareng tradition as an Intangible Cultural Heritage (WBTb) to the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia.

"We hope that by continuing to be preserved by the community, this tradition can be officially recognized as WBTb Tangerang City. This tradition is part of a cultural identity that strengthens the togetherness of citizens ahead of Ramadan," he added.

One of the participants, Dayat, who followed this tradition with her two children, admitted that she was enthusiastic every year of running Keramas Bareng.

"I have followed this tradition since I was little, and now I introduce it to my children. Hopefully, they can continue this tradition to their children and grandchildren in the future," he said with great enthusiasm.

Keramas Together is one of the symbols of the cohesiveness of the citizens in welcoming the holy month of Ramadan. By maintaining this tradition, the people of Tangerang not only care for cultural heritage, but also strengthen the value of togetherness and cleanliness, both physically and spiritually, in undergoing a month full of blessings.