Families visit tourism destinations to spend `ketupat eid` holiday

Jumat, 22 Juni 2018 21:21 WIB

Family atmosphere enjoying Minahaki Beach in Toili Subdistrict, Banggai Regency. (www.sulteng.antaranews.com/Fauzi Lamboka)

Luwuk, C Sulawesi, (Antaranews Sulteng) - Thousands of people in the Banggai sub-district of Central Sulawesi Province visited tourist destinations to celebrate the tradition of `Ketupat Eid` after the holiday.

One of the busiest tourist destinations visited each year is Minahaki Beach in the village of Minahaki, in the Toili sub-district, which is also known as the beach of a thousand spruce trees.

"We routinely visit this place with our family every year," said Nur Wijayanti, one of the visitors who came with her family on Friday.

She said that they had come to the beach to spend time with her family and enjoy the `Ketupat Eid` holiday under the shade and on the clean white sand.

The `Ketupat Eid` or Lebaran Ketupat is a tradition that is often followed in the community of Java, and is held one week after the feast of Eid al-Fitr or on 8 Shawwal of the Hijri year. The Toili area is a transmigration zone of the Banggai sub-district, in which many Javanese people reside.

`Ketupat` is a food made from rice that is inserted into woven coconut leaves (janur) made in the form of a bag, which is then cooked for a long period.

Wijayanti further stated that this tourist attraction has improved since her visit last year, especially the access road. In the past, she said, the road was muddy and challenging to travel on.

"Since the road is more accessible now, there are many more people who visit here. It took us almost an hour just to enter," she said.

Another destination that is popular is the Pandan Wangi Beach in West Toili, and similar to Minahaki Beach, people crowded the destination to celebrate the `Ketupat Lebaran` holiday.

Local police have also been notified to maintain security and order at all tourist attractions.