JAKARTA - Twenty-five years after this country's independence, the City of Jakarta is the only city in Indonesia that is experiencing rapid development for residents from villages. More than 80% of migrants to Jakarta come to look for work and only get long holidays during Eid.
They also take advantage of this momentum to return to their hometowns. Therefore, this momentum continues to develop into a phenomenon that cannot be separated from the tradition of going home in Indonesia.
The word homecoming actually has nothing to do with Eid al-Fitr celebrations. According to Wikipedia, homecoming is defined as a migrant activity or migrant worker to return to his hometown. Meanwhile, in terms of Javanese, homecoming can mean an abbreviation of repair which means 'repaired first'. Over time, the meaning of the word homecoming' has been shifted so that it is now more often associated with migrant activities or migrant workers returning to their hometowns.
For migrants or migrant workers, returning to their hometowns is not just going to their hometowns, but also a procession in a life-travel festival, where people can bridge their home areas with their future.
UGM anthropologist, Prof. Heddy Shri Ahimsa-Putra, said the homecoming came from Malay, fun, which means upstream or end. He explained that the Malay people who lived upstream of the river in the past often traveled downstream the river using boats or biduk. After finishing their business, then return to the upstream in the afternoon.
"It comes from Malay, my heart. The context goes to the estuary and then goes home. When people start to migrate because of growth in the city, the word homecoming is known and maintained until now when they return to their village," he said in a message written received by VOI, Thursday, March 20.
Heddy said the term homecoming began to be widely known in the 1970s, after during the new order of building a growth center in big cities such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung and Medan which caused people to urbanize to move to cities to settle and look for work. He said those who work and live in the city. Long escape from relatives. Even though while in the village you can be close to relatives.
The longing between relatives is certain. Waiting for a rather long holiday so that we can gather is eagerly awaited. Because we in Indonesia are the most Muslim society, Eid al-Fitr is the choice. Different in America and Europe, many residents return to their hometowns during the celebration of thanks giving or Christmas celebrations. While in us, yes Eid al-Fitr," he said.
Homecoming For Information Channels For Homecoming In 2025
Homecoming activities have become part of the Indonesian culture that has been going on for a long time and is a moment that is eagerly awaited every year, especially when Lebaran arrives. However, keep in mind that homecoming activities also require careful preparation and a lot of money.
The Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs (Menkomdigi), Meutya Hafid, explained that the 2025 Mudikpedia was designed as an accurate, complete, and accessible digital information channel.
"Homecoming is an annual tradition that is always dynamic. With the 2025 Homecoming, people can obtain comprehensive and trusted information in one channel, so that homecoming trips can be safer and more enjoyable," he said.
Meutya added, Mudikpedia also provides important links that directly connect users to various official government sites related to homecoming. Thus, it is easier for people to access information in one digital channel. Mudikpedia is also designed to be accessible via mobile and desktop devices with a responsive view. This makes it easier for people to get information anywhere and anytime, especially when traveling.
Kementerian Komdigi ingin terus berperan aktif dalam mendukung kelancaran mudik tahun ini. Salah satunya memperkuat jaringan internet di jalur mudik.
"We want to ensure that important information can be conveyed properly to the public. Therefore, we will continue to promote the 2025 Mudikpedia through various media channels," said Meutya Hafid.
Toll Discounts To Unravel Congestion
The government continues to finalize preparations for the 2025 Eid homecoming so that people's travel is safer and more comfortable. A number of strategic policies were agreed upon, including adjusting the school holiday schedule to free homecoming transportation schemes
Based on the Joint Decree (SKB) of the Three Ministers, the Government has set school holidays and madrasas on March 21, April 8, 2025. Meanwhile, ASN also received work flexibility based on the Circular Letter of Menpan RB No. 2 of 2025, which stipulates the Flexible Working Arrangement policy on March 24, 2025
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Pratikno emphasized that the government continues to strengthen coordination to ensure that Eid al-Fitr 1446 H/2025 M homecoming runs smoothly, safely, comfortably, and safely. Therefore, the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture emphasized that vigilance and various strategies must continue.
"We really want Eid al-Fitr to run smoothly, safely, comfortably, and safely. The challenges we face have never decreased, have actually increased. Therefore, we will continue to carry out vigilance," said Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture at the 1446 H Eid Al-Fitr Preparation Coordination Meeting at the Mutiara Auditorium, Police Science College, South Jakarta, Monday (10/3/2025).
One of the main focuses of the government is ensuring the safety of travelers. Health facilities have been prepared by alerting medical personnel at various health posts and Public Safety Centers (PSC) spread across homecoming routes. In addition, the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture also emphasized the importance of health checks for public transport drivers, given the number of accidents caused by fatigue and the physical condition of the driver.
"To realize safety, there must be health facilities. We have checked and have also discussed checking public transport drivers, because many accidents occur due to driver conditions," said Pratikno.
To improve the comfort and equitable distribution of transportation services, the government through the Ministry of Transportation has developed an integrated application of Ministries/Agencies and Private Parties called the Nusantara Hub for free homecoming services.
"For free homecoming services, the Ministry of Transportation has developed an integrated application so that the distribution of travelers can be evenly distributed. Do not let there be buses crammed, while there are buses that are empty for the same purpose," said Pratikno.
Rest areas on the homecoming route will be strengthened as support for reducing the risk of congestion. Homecoming posts will also be equipped with more inclusive facilities, including adequate women's toilets, lactation rooms, children's play areas, prayer rooms, as well as emergency vehicle or workshop maintenance areas.
In an effort to reduce traffic density, travel management strategies have been prepared, one of which is through the toll tariff discount policy which will be implemented in a certain period to reduce congestion. In addition, the government has also discussed the availability of fuel to ensure smooth homecoming and return flow.
"With this time span, we have made a joint strategy so that there is no accumulation of vehicles at any given time," he concluded.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
