TcodeX Sarah Nur Fitriyah – Some of us may have wondered whether suburban villages like Sutawinangun Village still maintain their culture or traditions. This article will discuss the culture of Sutawinangun Village.
This village has a fairly dense population because it is located on the outskirts of the city. The village has no rice fields or sea. Therefore, it does not have the culture of Sedekah Bumi or Nadran, unlike most villages in general. This is because many residents have built houses in this village.
However, this village has the habits and culture of Islam in general. Residents never abandon the tahlilan ceremony as their culture. They practice this tradition to pray for people who have just passed away. Additionally, they organize this event on the third, fifth, and seventh day of every year. However, this is not a distinctive culture of Sutawinangun Village.
Apem Cake
Sharing Apem cake is the only culture that exists in Sutawinangun Village. This culture is carried out with the aim of celebrating Muludan. Residents will make apem cake themselves and distribute it to neighbors around them or those who have close relationships. The community does not practice this activity collectively as the culture offers no specific rationale for these events.
People now also do not widely practice sharing apem cake. This is because many residents are newcomers who may not know about this culture. Moreover, residents indeed make apem cake at each house, not as a communal event. Therefore, this culture is increasingly unknown to residents, both native residents and newcomers.
The story of Sutawinangun Village reflects a broader narrative of cultural transformation in Indonesia’s rapidly urbanizing landscape. As suburban communities continue to grow and diversify, the challenge lies not only in preserving existing traditions like apem cake sharing, but also in finding ways to adapt and reinvent cultural practices that can unite both longtime residents and newcomers. While some traditions may fade, the essence of community spirit and cultural identity can evolve to meet the needs of modern society. The future of Sutawinangun’s cultural heritage depends on the collective effort of its residents to bridge the gap between tradition and progress, ensuring that meaningful customs survive in new forms that resonate with contemporary life. Perhaps it is through such conscious efforts that suburban villages can maintain their unique character while embracing the inevitable changes that come with urbanization.