Lebaran

Lebaran is the Indonesian term for Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. The word Lebaran is widely used in Indonesia to describe the holiday and its celebratory period; its exact etymology is not definitively established.

The celebration occurs on the first day of Shawwal in the Islamic calendar and is observed with a multi-day festive season in Indonesia. In practice, the holiday often extends beyond a single day as people travel to visit family and engage in community gatherings.

Common practices include performing the Eid al-Fitr prayers (shalat Idul Fitri) in mosques or outdoor spaces, giving zakat fitrah (charity to purify wealth), and returning to one's hometowns (mudik). Social greetings and reconciliation are emphasized through halal bihalal gatherings, where relatives and friends forgive each other. Many people wear new clothes, host or visit open houses, and share meals that feature traditional dishes such as ketupat, opor ayam, and rendang, among others.

Lebaran also has notable social and economic effects, including increased travel, shopping, and hospitality services. The holiday is part of a broader Southeast Asian observance of Eid al-Fitr; in neighboring Malaysia and Brunei, for example, the celebration is known as Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Hari Raya Puasa, reflecting regional variations in naming and customs.