Nia S. Amira
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For most Indonesian people, especially the Javanese, Balinese and Maduranese have a tradition of making tumpeng or a cone yellow rice when they carry out a feast, to celebrate an important event. The meaning contained in a rice cone is closely linked to the geographical condiÂtion of Indonesia, especially Java, that surrounded by ring of fires or volcano. Cone is derived from the ancient tradition of Indonesian soÂciety which is the personification of Mount Mahameru in India, the dwelling place of the Hyang, or Gods and the place of ancestors. As it is known, the Javanese tradition is influenced by Hindu culture.
In its developÂment, the cone is adopted and a s s o c i Âated with the phiÂlosophy of Islam since the 1 3 t h century, mainly in Java. At that time, the cone is regarded as the ancestral message reÂgarding the request t o the Almighty. In the tradition of festivity amongst the Javanese it is known Slametan or where tumpeng presented by earlier prayer in acÂcording with the teachings of Islam. According to Javanese Islamic tradiÂtion, Tumpeng is the acronym in JaÂvanese, namely: yen metu kudu sing mempeng (when exit must earnestÂly). Tumpeng has its friend made of sticky rice called Buceng which means when someone or something enters it must be signed in very fast.
Side dishes that usually accomÂpany tumpeng said to be 7 which named pitu in Javanese language or Pitulungan or Help from God and it derives from 3 words which came from a prayer in Surah al-Isra verses 80: According to some ulemas, this prayer was recited by Prophet MuÂhammad when he must move from the city of Mecca to Madinah. The intention to make tumpeng is askÂing for help from the Almighty and to obtain the goods and avoid all the evils, then reaching the glory from someÂone who gave the aid.