Dugderan - Indonesian Culture That is worth Preserved

Dugderan is a festival to mark the start of fasting in Ramadan being held in the city of Semarang. The celebration began in the colonial period is concentrated in the area of Simpang Lima. The celebration was opened by the mayor and enlivened by a number of firecrackers and fireworks.

Semarang's Moslem tradition is usually held approximately 1-2 weeks before Lent begins. Because the longstanding tradition of this Dugderan had already become a sort of party of the people. Although it has become a kind of folk festival Japin such as dance, pageantry (carnival) to percussion drum but the ritual process (initial announcement fasting) remains a Dugderan peak.

The Origin of Dugderan

In the area of Semarang, Central Java province, there is a tradition in the form of a traditional ceremony known as Dugderan. That said, the origin of the name of this ceremony is a fusion of sound "dug" when the drum was beaten followed by the sound of "der" when the cannon fired to mark the coming of Ramadan. Besides characterised by the blow drum and cannon, Dugderan tradition is also equipped with night markets and procession or carnival culture that involves various levels of society.

The story behind Dugderan tradition started when their differences of opinion among scholars in determining the start of the fasting month. To overcome such dissent, in about 1881 Regent of Semarang that time, the Duke ofKyai Raden Mas Tumenggung (KRMT) Purbaningrat, decided to participate in determining the beginning of the fasting month. The way wass to hold a special ceremony alongside the scholars in the district, and ends with a drum sounding the Great Mosque Kauman Semarang and firing a cannon in the courtyard District (square Semarang), each number three times as a courtesy to the public.

The sound of the drum and cannon, of course, attracted the attention of residents of the surrounding communities. They flock to the origin of the sound to know what events were going on. Once people got together, Kanjeng Adipati and Imam of the Great Mosque (Kyai Tafsir Anom) went out  and gave a speech and announcements. The contents of the announcement included certain information about the determination of the fasting month and an invitation to always improved “silaturrahim” rope or unity and constantly improved the quality of worship.

Eventually, perhaps after being a recurring event, the crowd in the courtyard districts witnessed early signs of the fasting month is also used by traders "tiban" from various regions for profit. They sold a variety of food, drinks, and children's toys made of clay, bamboo, and paper. One of the toys that they were peddling referred to as Warak Ngendhog / Ngendok shaped four-legged animals with a head like a dragon.

In a further development, the traders are not only trade when the people had gathered to listen to the announcement of the beginning of Lent. They even had to hold merchandise well before the ceremony held in the form of a night market. In addition, coupled with processional event involving a wide range of groups. Dugderan not only as a means to inform Muslims about the start time of fasting Ramadan, but also as a means of entertainment and cultural performances event for the residents of Semarang.

The Course of the Dugderan Ceremony 

Before the ceremony at of drum and cannon (drum sounds DUG) and Meriam Rings DER) in the central district (which was then still in the form of Semarang District) already prepared some supplies such as:

Dugderan tradition or culture is usually held one day before the arrival of the fasting month at 15:30 pm, with the local village chief as the leader of the ceremony with a speech explaining the coming of Ramadan or the beginning of the first run of Ramadan fasting, continued to pray for safety to the Almighty, continued phonation drum in the mosque (rung three times), accompanied by the rhythm of the gamelan that had been prepared at the district hall earlier and sounds protrude Der.

Procession of Dugderan

Although it is more advanced, sophisticated and very modern, Dugderan traditions are still preserved in the city of Semarang, although there have been many changes. However, these changes do not reduce the meaning of Dugder.

The cause of the change is due to Dugderan tradition and keeping things:

Culture Value

Dugderan ceremony, if examined in depth, containing values that in turn can be used as a reference in everyday life. The values that include solidarity, thoroughness, mutual aid, and religious. Common values reflected in the gathering of some members of the community in one place to follow the procession Dugderan praying together for the sake of safety along anyway. It is a form of togetherness in life together in their environment (in a broad sense). Therefore, this ceremony also contain common values. In this case, together as a community that has a territory, customs and cultures.

Values reflected thoroughness of the process of the ceremony itself. As a process, the ceremony requires preparation, both before the ceremony, while the procession, and after. Preparations were not only a ceremonial equipment, but also a place, time, leaders and participants. Everything must be prepared carefully and deliberately, so that the ceremony can proceed smoothly. Therefore, the required accuracy.

Cooperativeness value reflected in the involvement of various parties in the implementation of the ceremony. They help each other for the implementation of the ceremony. In this case there is help prepare food and drinks, making wreaths, be master of ceremonies, and so forth.

Religious values reflected in prayer addressed to God in order to receive protection, the safety of the life and well-being