In Reply to: What is Ramadan and when posted by parksyhp on Wednesday, 11. July 2007 at 21:03 Bali Time:
Ramadan is the holy fasting month for moslems. This year is starts about the 13th of September and ends on October 13th and 14th. These two dates are called Idul Fitri (in Arabic) or Indonesians call it Lebaran.
During Ramadan.. the people fasting are not allowed to lose their temper, eat during the day after sunrise and before sunset, drink, swallow their own saliva (for the strict followers) have sex, think dirty thoughts etc etc, anything that will break their "puasa" or fast. If they do, they have to they have to "repay" the days of fasting after lebaran.
Women, who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or are having their period are not allowed to fast. Again they will usually "repay" these days after Lebaran ends. Also people who are sick etc are also excused.
On the eve of Lebaran, they will usually go around the streets in the city, praising Allah's name, as these two special days are seen by the people as their own personal victory, of being able to fast for the 30 days....usually the youngsters drive around on their motorbikes, or in back of trucks beating drums! This is called malam Takbiran.
One the first day of Lebaran, everyone will go to the mosque and pray, which they call shalat eid. (Sholat Idul fitri) usually about 7am. After this, the young children in the families are usually given money as a gift. Then the younger members ask for forgiveness from their parents and elder siblings for any wrong doings in the past year and visa versa
Then they will usually go to their relatives houses to do the same thing, they usually visit the most elderly members first, and then visit the younger aunts, uncles, cousins etc etc. The second day is usually spent doing the same thing, however it could be more social, as visiting close friends or work collegues at their homes.
During the month of Ramadhan there will be plenty of sales in the department stores, because everyone will be buying new clothes. Also food prices also rise during this time, as everyone is buying up big for the "parties" at the end of the month.