BANYUWANGI – Every Maulid commemoration of the Prophet Muhammad SAW, Banyuwangi residents always hold the tradition of Endog-endogan.
Reported from banyuwangikab.go.id, they paraded thousands of eggs stuck in banana tree trunks as a symbol of Islamic values that every Muslim must have.
This egg-laying tradition is very popular in Banyuwangi. Almost in every village in Banyuwangi, residents welcome the birthday of the Prophet (The birth of the Prophet Muhammad SAW) joyfully by parading thousands of eggs around the village.
Thousands of eggs that are decorated with various colors are then stuck in a banana stem (jodang). A jodang is usually available 50 Eggs, each of which has been placed in an attractive little container.
While crawling eggs, citizens will chant prayers as a form of homage to the Prophet Muhammad SAW. Old young, they walk around the village chanting prayers while echoing the prophet's prayers.
It was this tradition that had been attached to it which inspired the Banyuwangi regency government to hold the Endog-Endogan Festival and it was included in the Banyuwangi Festival agenda.. For this year, The activity was held Saturday morning (9/11/2019).
By wearing all -white clothes, thousands of people parading jodong eggs, coming from the five directions which symbolize the number of obligatory prayers for Muslims. The Prophet's sholawat continues to be echoed accompanying the egg procession.
Next, The procession met right in front of the Baiturrahman Great Mosque, Banyuwangi. This location is a new location after in previous years the Endhog-endhogan Festival was always centered in front of the Banyuwangi Regency Government Office.
Attend the event, Banyuwangi Regent Abdullah Azwar Anas, Deputy Regent Yusuf Widyatmoko, and other forpimda ranks.
Regent Anas said the Endhog-endhogan tradition is a way for the people of Banyuwangi to commemorate the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad.
“If usually held on city streets, This year it is centered at the Baiturrahman Great Mosque because it is a symbol of the unity of the ulama and umaro (leader),” said Regent Anas.
“We want Banyuwangi in the future to continue to be an advanced area while maintaining its social piety with the guidance of regional scholars,” he said.
Regent Anas confessed, Similar activities are not only held in festive events centered at the Baiturrahman Great Mosque, but also carried out simultaneously in every mosque in Indonesia 25 sub-districts in Banyuwangi.
There is a philosophy contained in this endog-endogan tradition. The egg as a symbol consists of three layers, that is skin, egg white and egg yolk. Egg shells are likened to a symbol of Islam as the identity of a Muslim.
“Egg whites, symbolizes faith, which means that a person who is Muslim must have faith that is to believe and carry out the commands of Allah SWT,” said Regent Anas.
“Egg yolk symbolizes sincerity, surrender and be sincere with all the provisions of Allah SWT,” he added.
Regent Anas explained, Islam, Iman and Ihsan is the harmonization of the message brought by the Prophet Muhammad SAW which if imprinted on human beings will produce human beings who reflect the morals of the Prophet.
“This is the meaning of the Egg-Egg Festival so that people always remember and follow the guidance of the prophet,” said Regent Anas.
Added Regent Anas, endhog-endhogan festival is an Islamic symbol that is full of local values and wisdom. In the tradition there is also a spirit of mutual cooperation and mutual help among others.
“This activity is also to strengthen the relationship. We and the residents gather, then eat together wearing ancak (banana leaf tray). These are the values of togetherness that we need to take good care of,” said Regent Anas.
In the warning, also filled with religious tausiah from KH Ali Makki, Chairman of PC NU Banyuwangi.
In his lecture, Gus Maki said that the commemoration of the Prophet's Birthday should be carried out by Muslims, as a form of respect to the Prophet who will provide his intercession for Muslims in the last days.
Meanwhile at the end of the event, Endhog-endhogan festival ends by eating random rice together. One ancak containing rice and side dishes is eaten by 4-5 person.
Friendship was immediately felt when everyone mingled together to eat the dish.
“It's great to be able to celebrate Maulid with the Regent and everyone here, I usually follow the eggs in the village, but today I purposely joined in the grand mosque to feel a different celebration,” said Fauzul, one of the residents.
