Men, Women, Parents And Youth In Leihitu Maluku Hold Safar Bathing Tradition

Thousands of residents follow the tradition of safar bathing at Pantai Hitu Jazirah Leihitu, Central Maluku Regency, Maluku, Wednesday (6/10/2021). ANTARA/Winda Herman

AMBON - Thousands of residents of Ambon and its surroundings held a Safar Bathing tradition in Leihitu District, Central Maluku Regency, Maluku Province, Wednesday, October 6 evening.

One of the most crowded locations during Safar Bathing is the Hitu Country (Village). The local community has for generations carried out the Mandi Safar tradition every year, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thousands of residents, both men and women, old and young people, as well as migrants from surrounding villages and from Ambon city participated and descended on Hitu Beach.

"This procession (Bathing Safar-Ed) coincides with the entry or broadcast of Islam, and has also been carried out last year. We are trying to carry on from our datu-datu or our parents," said the King of Hitu, Salhana Pelu, as reported by Antara, in the courtyard of King Hitu's house, Wednesday, October 6.

Safar bathing has been a tradition for hundreds of years in most parts of Indonesia, which is a Muslim-majority country. However, in Maluku, especially in the "peninsula" of Leihitu, Mandi Safar is still being held and even during the pandemic at its peak in 2020.

The Safar Bath in Leihitu is held on the last Wednesday of the Safar Month in the Hijri year which falls on October 6, 2021.

He said the Safar Bathing tradition this time was no different from previous years. The reason is, in this event, all residents flocked to the beach to bathe in the sea water that had been prayed for.

“There is no difference before COVID and during COVID, the atmosphere remains like this. And that is the hope of the community as well, through traditional leaders, religious leaders, we can pray to be free from the epidemic," he said.

He explained that the Safar bathing activity was carried out for spiritual efforts towards self-approach to Allah SWT which was carried out by its citizens. In addition, it also reflects the history of Islamic religious symbols in the Hitu country, and asks for protection to avoid outbreaks of dangerous diseases including COVID-19.

“The goal is only to reflect on events that happened in the past. And actually Safar Baths in other places also exist. But actually the meaning of the Safar Bath on Wednesday at the end of the month of Safar is to prevent us Hitu residents in particular and the residents of the island of Ambon from being able to avoid all kinds of epidemics, including the COVID-19 outbreak," he said.

He explained that by praying at sunset, it was hoped that the sunset would be followed by the sinking of all problems and diseases, and could bring people away from all dangers and epidemics.

"This epidemic is not just an incident in the past, the present, but this epidemic can happen at any time. Hopefully, with this prayer, the Hitu community will also be spared from the existing epidemics, including COVID-19," he concluded. The Mandi Safar activity was seen being escorted by a number of police officers and soldiers to be aware of conflicts and unwanted things.

The Head of the Leihitu Police, Iptu Julkisno Kaisupy said during the Mandi Safar event at Jezirah Leihitu, the security involved a combined element of the TNI, Polri, and police communication assistance (Ban Kompol) for security and serving the community so that the activity ran safely and smoothly.

Even so, he also did not forget to urge the public to continue to comply with health protocols.