Harvesting the Blessing in ‘Kampung Ketupat’ Banjarmasin

Idul Fitri brought blessings to residents of Kampung Ketupat, Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan. This year, they harvested the blessings of Idul Fitri of 1 Syawal 1444 Hijriah, as the COVID-19 outbreak was declining.

KOMPAS/JUMARTO YULIANUS

A trader serves a buyer of ketupat on Eid day in Ketupat Village, Sungai Baru Village, Central Banjarmasin, Banjarmasin City, South Kalimantan, Saturday (22/4/2023).

Lebaran (Idul Fitri) brought blessings to residents of Kampung Ketupat, Sungai Baru, Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan. This year, they harvested the blessings of Idul Fitri of 1 Syawal 1444 Hijriah, as the COVID-19 outbreak was declining.

Haitami (33), the child of the owner of Ketupat Hj Iwar stall in Sungai Baru, hardly had the chance to rest and chat with her friends who came for an Idul Fitri get-together, on Saturday (22/4/2023). Buyers flocked to her stalls to buy ketupat (rice cakes wrapped in woven palm leaf) and lontong (rice cakes wrapped in banana leaf)

There were buyers asking for 10 ketupat packs. Other buyers asked for 20 lontong. There were also those who bought ketupat and lontong simultaneously. "Since the night before Idul Fitri, buyers flocked here. Due to the many buyers we had to close at midnight and open again at 4:30 a.m.," she said. Haitami and her mother took turns guarding the stall when their relatives and friends came to have an Idul Fitri get-together. When her mother received guests at home, which was right behind the stall, Haitami served buyers of ketupat and lontong. Vice versa, when Haitami received guests at home, her mother served buyers at the stall.

It was impossible for us to close on holidays because this was the time for people to come looking for ketupat and lontong.

"It was impossible for us to close on holidays because this was the time for people to come looking for ketupat and lontong. Compared to ordinary days, sales increased five to six times, even more," she said.

Haitami said they usually produced around 500 to 1,500 ketupat and 2,000 lontong on ordinary days. However, during Idul Fitri, they produced 5,000 ketupat and 10,000 lontong. Not only did production increase significantly, selling prices also doubled. Lontong’s price, which is usually Rp 3,000 per piece, rose to Rp 6,000 per piece during Idul Fitri. Ketupat,usually Rp 3,500 per piece, rose to Rp 7,000 per piece.

According to Haitami, price adjustments are due to the increase in production costs. Every year is always like that. The price of all goods rises before Idul Fitri. The price of rice, banana leaves, coconut leaves and other ingredients rise. Workers' wages also go up because they have to work overtime.

Also read:

> Idul Fitri: An Occasion to Nurture Diversity

> Harmony on Lebaran

"Buyers understand the rising prices of ketupat and lontong on Idul Fitri. If the selling prices do not rise, traders lose," she said with a laugh.

Anwar (53), the owner of Al Amin stall, which also sells ketupat and lontong, also enjoys the blessings of Idul Fitri. "Every Idul Fitri, the sales of ketupat and lontong must be far more than ordinary days. The increase is at least 200 percent," he said.

On the night before Idul Fitri or takbiran night, according to Anwar, many people queued to buy ketupat and lontong in his stall. He and his wife could barely rest. "Until 10:00 p.m., the buyers were still in line at our stall," he said.

Anwar also confirmed there was an increase in the selling prices of ketupat and lontong during Idul Fitri. All traders in Kampung Ketupat imposed the same selling prices. "So, when people want to buy at any stall, the prices are the same. It's always like that every holiday. Buyers also know and are not surprised," he said.

KOMPAS/JUMARTO YULIANUS

Ketupat sold by a trader on Idul Fitri in Ketupat Village, Sungai Baru Village, Central Banjarmasin, Banjarmasin City, South Kalimantan, Saturday (22/4/2023).

Haitami added ketupat and lontong sold in Kampung Ketupat were cooked and ready to eat. Buyers only need to process them for a variety of typical Idul Fitri meals made from ketupat and lontong.

"We always sell newly cooked ketupat and lontong. The cooking process is long; it can last all night. Ketupat and lontong can certainly be eaten in two days; they will not be stale, even if not stored in the refrigerator," she said.

Fatimah (40), one of the buyers, said ketupat and lontong, which were ready-to-eat, made everything easy. There was no need for her to bother cooking ketupat and lontong for joint meals on holidays. "At home, I usually only make soto banjar [soup] or chicken opor [chicken cooked in coconut milk]. Later, ketupat and lontong will be bought in Sungai Baru," she said.

Also read:

> Banjarmasin’s ‘Old Town’ is Booming Again

> Tempting Banjarese Food

According to Wawan (28), a resident of Banjarmasin, various foods served during Idul Fitri seem more delicious when eaten with ketupat or lontong. Soto banjar and Ketupat Kandangan, for example, certainly have to use ketupat. Chicken opor can use ketupat or lontong. The vegetable lontong dish definitely uses lontong. Then, satay and gado-gado [Indonesian salad with peanut sauce] are also required to use lontong.

"Whatever the food, ketupat and lontong are always available. We also always buy ketupat and lontong in Sungai Baru during Lebaran," he said.

Kampung Ketupat is located in Sungai Baru village, Central Banjarmasin, Banjarmasin city, South Kalimantan. The location is not difficult to find because it is on the banks of Martapura River. From Jl. Ahmad Yani a big gate is also seen with a sign that reads, "Welcome to the Kampung Ketupat Tourism Area.”

Tourism activities

Chairperson of Dangsanak Kriya Katupat Marketing Cooperative in South Kalimantan Elisa R Suryana said this year, Idul Fitri had been welcomed by the ketupat and lontong traders in Kampung Ketupat with joy. The traders enjoyed the harvest of sustenance because of the high demand for ketupat and lontong. "Compared to last year's Idul Fitri, there was a significant increase in production and sales this year. The atmosphere of pandemic was no longer felt. Everywhere there was an ‘open house’ [get-together]," she said.

Elisa said traders who used to produce ketupat and lontong with the raw material of as many as seven belek (cans) of rice (1 belek is equivalent to 20 liters of rice), on this Idul Fitri, used 12 belek of rice.

"Since the seventh day before Lebaran, we had been busy weaving ketupat casings because there were many orders from everywhere. The order of the ketupat and lontong is not only for Idul Fitri, but also up to two days after Idul Fitri," she said.

Also read:

> River Tourism Revival during Ramadan

According to Elisa, Lebaran has always been a special moment for traders in Kampung Ketupat because it brings a lot of blessings. The Blessing of Idul Fitri is expected to continue because the South Kalimantan Tourism Office has entrusted the cooperatives she leads to manage tourism ships for River Tracking. On the ships a variety of cuisines made from ketupat and lontong are served. Visitors can appreciate river tourism while enjoying the culinary tour of Kampung Ketupat.

"Kampung Ketupat is expected not only to be famous as a central area for the production of ketupat and lontong, but also famous in culinary tourism for dishes made from ketupat and lontong," she said.

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.