Memories of Bung Karno's Firecrackers and the Takbiran of the Presidents

This year, President Jokowi will spend the night takbiran from the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta. How were the presidents before?

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Children mingle with residents as they walk around the village carrying torches while reciting takbeer during the night of takbeer in Sukoharjo, Pacitan, East Java, on Tuesday (4/6/2019).

Every person must have their own memories, experiences, or stories related to Eid al-Fitr. This includes the presidents who have either led or are currently leading this country, whether during their youth or while sitting in the presidential seat.

Five years ago, around Eid 2017, fidget spinners became a popular toy for children in cities and villages. In fact, toys with components in the form of fingers that can rotate on their axis have become trendy, popular, and even played by adults.

Looking back to the 80s and 90s, children - usually boys - in some areas often played with various types of firecrackers. In the rural villages of Java, which are still populated with bamboo, bamboo cannon firecrackers became part of the excitement during the Ramadan month.

The Javanese call it "mercon bumbung." It is fueled by oil poured into a bamboo tube, and with a lit match ignited at the trigger hole at the base, the sound of the mercon echoes throughout the village.

Some people add carbide to bamboo to increase the loudness of the explosion. Some who are mischievous put a funnel (used milk cans) in the mouth of the bamboo cannon before it is launched – even if only a few meters ahead – along with the sound of the explosion.

Also read: Victory Night, Visual Archives of Those Celebrating the End of Ramadan

ADRYAN YOGA PARAMADWYA

Residents chanted takbir and set off smoke bombs during takbiran night on Jalan Tambak, Menteng, Central Jakarta, Friday (21/4/2023).

A game that was often played in the past was a toy gun with pellets made of doblis (paper with small particles of firecracker powder that will explode when under pressure). There were also rolled firecrackers known with variations in the level of loudness emitted when the wick is lit and burns the powder.

There are also "mercon sos" or "sos dor" which can fly into space and then explode with a loud bang, "mercon lombok" or small-sized firecrackers with not-so-loud sounds when lit, and fireworks that only burn beautifully and are not surprising because they hardly make any sound.

Bung Karno's sadness

Recently, fireworks were prohibited and considered dangerous due to the potential for injury and fire hazards. However, in the past, long before there was an awareness to ban it, fireworks were a favorite toy of children. Not exempt, Indonesia's first president, Soekarno, also had a strong desire for fireworks during his childhood.

When recalling his childhood in Mojokerto, East Java, Bung Karno once recounted his sadness when he was a child because he couldn't afford to buy and play with fireworks. This was due to the financial condition at the time not being supportive.

On Eid day more than half a century ago I lay alone in my small bedroom.

"On the day of Lebaran more than half a century ago, I laid alone in my small bedroom, which was only enough for one bed, with sadness peering in the direction of the sky through three small air holes on the bamboo walls," he said as written in the book "Bung Karno: Penyambung Lidah Rakyat Indonesia", the autobiography he conveyed to Cindy Adams (1966).

At that time, Bung Karno poured out his heart feeling as if it had been torn apart upon hearing the sound of firecrackers accompanied by the cheers of his friends. "Can people understand your feelings as a little child when all your friends somehow can afford to buy firecrackers for one cent - and you cannot? You will feel very sad!" said Bung Karno.

In short, there was a guest who came to meet Bung Karno's father and brought a package containing firecrackers. Little Soekarno couldn't hide his happiness when he received the firecrackers. "There is no wealth, painting, or palace in this world that can give me the joy like that moment. I can never forget that event throughout my life," said Bung Karno.

KOMPAS/JULIAN SIHOMBING

Several teenagers gave their final performance on the stage of "Gema Zikir dan Takbir," which measures 46 x 78 meters and is equipped with 450,000-watt lighting and 125,000-watt sound system, at Tugu Monas, Jakarta on Monday (26/1/1998).

Praising Allah with the call to takbir is starting to be sung by Muslims as Idul Fitri and Idul Adha approach. This takbir is chanted by all people, from citizens to the Head of State.

Drum drums

Referring toKompas's news archives, on February 8 1997, for example, President Soeharto beat a giant drum from the Bantul Grand Mosque at the Echo of Dhikr and Takbir event to welcome 1 Shawwal 1417 Hijriah under the Jakarta Monas Monument. The strains of the Head of State's takbir were greeted by the echoing sound of the takbir of thousands of people who were present in the heart of Jakarta.

Wearing a headwrap, traditional cap, and white clothing, President Soeharto at that time chanted the Takbir with a solemn voice, "Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, Laa ilaaha ilaallaahu Allahu akbar, Allaahu akbar walillaahil hamd."

Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, Laa ilaaha ilaallaahu Allahu akbar, Allaahu akbar walillaahil hamd.

A quarter of a century ago, President BJ Habibie, while delivering a speech at the Takbir Night in Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta on Monday (January 18th, 1999) night, invited all parties to face the crisis calamity with patience. All parties were also encouraged to increase self-control, think clearly and rationally, and not be carried away by emotions or solely because of personal and group interests.

"As a nation, we are currently experiencing a national state of concern. The crisis we are attempting to resolve is truly a disaster and a difficult test for Indonesia," said President BJ Habibie.

KOMPAS/FERGANATA INDRA RIATMOKO

Residents take part in the takbiran parade in Ngaran Hamlet, Margokaton Village, Seyegan District, Sleman, DI Yogyakarta, Sunday (1/5/2022) evening.

One year later, amidst differences, President Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur voiced the existence of similarities. "We have various religions and languages. All are our essence as one community and cannot be separated. We must position ourselves as creatures of God," said Gus Dur in front of thousands of Muslim followers participating in the "Takbir Persaudaraan" at Istora Senayan, Jakarta, on Friday (7/1/2000).

In addition to being filled with reflections on Eid al-Fitr, the event held by the Ansor Youth Movement and Muhammadiyah Youth was also enlivened by the Lompat Gambus dance from Ambon and Rampak Aceh. Kompas reported that the dance received a great applause from the participants.

Everything is our essence as one people and cannot be separated.

President Megawati Soekarnoputri, while leading the nation, also attended the Takbir Akbar National event under the National Monument or Monas Monument on Saturday (15/12/2001). The peak of the event, which took place from 8.15 pm until 11 pm, was Megawati's appearance on the stage and handing over the drumstick to Vice President Hamzah Haz.

After beating the drum, Hamzah Haz called for takbir, followed by Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly Amien Rais, Chairman of the House of Representatives Akbar Tandjung, and Minister of Religious Affairs Said Agil Al Munawar.

Meanwhile, while attending the National Takbir Akbar at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta on Friday night (12/10/2007), President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono delivered three messages in his speech.

The three messages that must be carried out are loyalty to friends, social concern, and maintaining the determination to build the nation. Jokowi Era

FAKHRI FADLURROHMAN

Indonesian Vice President Ma'ruf Amin can be seen on the projector screen reciting takbir while attending Eid al-Fitr prayers at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta on Saturday (22/4/2023).

In recent years, during the era of President Joko Widodo's administration, the excitement of the parade and the takbir were limited by restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic. Before the pandemic, the first period of President Jokowi's administration had celebrated a grand takbir in front of the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque, Banda Aceh, Aceh Province, Thursday (16/7/2015) evening.

“Allahu Akbar...Allahu Akbar...Allahu Akbar. Laa Ilaha Illallohu Allohu Akbar...Allahu Akbar Walillahilhamd...," President Joko Widodo said the takbir after breaking the fast on the last day of Ramadan from the stage in front of the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque as reported by the Daily Kompas , Monday (20/7/2015).

Shortly after, the greatness of the Divine Name was echoed, followed by hundreds of residents across the stage, and the beating of the drum as a sign of the start of the parade and takbir akbar (Islamic chant of "Allahu Akbar"). The parade and takbir akbar were followed not only by a series of cars adorned with various mosque dome decorations and residents on it echoing the greatness of the Divine Name while beating the traditional drum, but also by a group of young people walking while carrying torches.

For the first time in recorded history, an Indonesian President celebrated Eid in Aceh with residents.

Occasionally, they paid their respects and waved to Jokowi and the guests on stage. For the first time in recorded history, an Indonesian President celebrated Eid al-Fitr in Aceh with the locals. In addition to being accompanied by First Lady Mrs. Iriana Joko Widodo and their two children, Kahiyang Ayu and Kahesang Pangarep, the President was also accompanied by Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs Sofyan A. Djalil and Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning Ferry Mursyidan Baldan.

On Friday morning (17/7), the President and his family also performed Eid prayers at the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque. Despite tight security, it did not deter residents from attending the Eid prayers. More than 5,000 Banda Aceh residents crowded the mosque built by Sultan Iskandar Muda in 1612. Some worshipers were even willing to pray on the street because the mosque was already full.

ADRYAN YOGA PARAMADWYA

Residents beat drums during takbiran night on Jalan Tambak, Menteng, Central Jakarta, Friday (21/4/2023).

You can't play with firecrackers, Sis, it's prohibited by the government and it could cause a fire.

Apart from the grand takbir in Aceh, President Jokowi enlivened the evening takbiran by being together with his family like in 2023 in his hometown in Solo, Central Java.

Meanwhile, in 2022, President Jokowi filled the night of Takbiran by distributing basic necessities to the community in the city of Yogyakarta. According to the Head of the Protocol Bureau at the Presidential Secretariat, Yusuf Permana, the President spent the night of Takbiran with his family at home.

Did President Jokowi play with firecrackers? Of course not. "Playing with firecrackers is not allowed, Miss, as it is prohibited by the government and can cause fires," said Head of the Presidential Secretariat's Media and Information Bureau, Erlin Suastini.

This year, it is estimated that President Jokowi will spend the night of Takbiran at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta. Prayer or chanting can be performed at Masjid Baiturrahim, located next to Merdeka Palace.

Meanwhile, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin and his family celebrated at his official residence on Jalan Diponegoro. The next morning after Eid prayers at the Istiqlal Mosque with President Jokowi, there will be halal bihalal at the Merdeka Palace. The vice president also held an open house at his residence for two hours.