The Ngaminang tradition in Gelgel Muslim Village

Balitraveldiary.com – Gelgel Village in Klungkung Regency is the oldest Muslim village in Bali. This village community has the Ngaminang tradition. The tradition of eating together in the month of Ramadan is a symbol of the close relationship between religious believers.

As reported by Kompas (6/20/2017), ngaminang is a tradition of eating together with sagi as a serving tool. Sagi is a circular tray. The contents are complete, ranging from rice, side dishes, crackers, to fruit and drinks. Sagi is closed by a kind of Balinese food cover called saap.

Eating together with 4 people sitting cross-legged around one sagi is called magibung by the Balinese. When eating together, the sense of togetherness strengthens. They not only share food, but also stories and excitement.

The event is attended by anyone who breaks their fast in the mosque, especially men. If there are women who want to participate, mosque officials will bring sagi to a special area for women.

Also not only Muslims who followed him, but also other religious communities. Therefore, beef is usually not served in honor of Hindus who respect cows as sanctified animals so they do not eat meat.

Gathering Togetherness

The Ngaminang tradition and similar traditions need to be preserved because they can be a means to establish togetherness and strengthen tolerance values ​​among religious believers.

The tradition of breaking fast together across religions is imbued with the wisdom of sharing braya or togetherness among villagers. The initial purpose of the Ngaminang tradition was to strengthen the Klungung Puri family and Muslims in Gelgel.

Gelgel village is believed to be the oldest Muslim village in Bali. Although there are no physical traces or inscriptions stating this, it is believed that Muslim communities have existed since the XIV century in this village. Only then did Muslim villages emerge in other districts, such as in Buleleng, Denpasar City, and Jembrana because of trade activities.

It is said that the arrival of Muslims in Gelgel began with the return of King Gelgel I Dalem Ketut Ngelingsir from his visit to Java. He was accompanied by bodyguards who did not return to origin. In Bali, the Muslim guards were then given a place and settled in Gelgel. They then built a mosque as a place of worship.

The naming of Gelgel Village is a tribute to the surrounding Hindu population towards Muslims.

Usually the local people only give the name up to the level of banjar whose scope is bigger than the village. However, to respect the existence of the Muslims there, a name was given to the village they lived in, namely Gelgel village. Above Gelgel Village, actually there is Gelgel Village, the majority of which are Hindus.

Ngaminang tradition can also be said as a form of gratitude for the realization of harmony among religious believers on the island of Bali. Hindus usually call Muslims who are Muslim as selam or Islamic brothers who show the close ties of brotherhood.
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