According to Javanese traditions, the local lebaran tradition of Idul Fitri was first started when Sunan Bonang, one of Wali Songo of Tuban in 15th-century Java, calls for the Muslims to elevate the perfection of their Ramadhan fast by asking forgiveness and forgiving others' wrongdoings.

The Lebaran etymology was derived from Javanese word, and according to Indonesian Muslim scholar Umar Khayam, lebaran tradition was the result of acculturation between Javanese culture and Islam during the 15th-century. Christmas however, although bearing similarity in abundance of foods, is never referred to as lebaran, but just Natal or natalan instead.Įid mass prayer on open field during colonial Dutch East Indies period. For example, in Indonesian the term lebaran haji (lit: hajj's lebaran) is informally used to describe Eid al-Adha, also lebaran cina (lit:Chinese lebaran) for Chinese New Year. The term lebaran usually used specific to describe Eid al-Fitr Islamic holiday, however in looser terms it sometimes used to describe similar festivals and celebrations. It is also possible the word 'lebaran' derived from the word luber > luber-an > lebaran, which means overflow or flocking. Madurese people have also a similar word called lober to describe the completion of Ramadhan fast. Another theory suggested, 'lebaran' is derived from Betawi, lebar which means 'wide and broad', so the celebration means to broaden or widen one's heart feeling after fasting ritual of Ramadhan.

It is suggested derived from Javanese word lebar which means 'finished', then the word 'lebar' is absorbed into Indonesian language with additional suffix '-an', so it becomes a common vocabulary for a celebration when the fasting ritual is 'finished”, or derived from Sundanese word lebar which means 'abundance' or 'many' to describe the abundance of foods and delicacies served for visiting guests family, relatives, neighbors and friends during this festive occasion. While 'lebaran' is localized name for this festive occasion, the etymology is not clear. 'Idul Fitri' and 'Idul Adha' are Indonesian spelling of Arabic 'Eid al-Fitr' and Eid al-Adha.

Lebaran 2019