By A‘an Suryana
As in years past, millions of people are set to return home this year to celebrate Idul Fitri. The government estimates the number of homebound travelers will hit 27.25 million, with 16.25 million people going by public transportation and the rest by private car or motorcycle.
The sheer number of travelers, who will mostly return home from Jakarta to smaller cities and towns in Java, will pose headache for travelers themselves and the government, as main roads leading to those areas, especially along the northern coastal area of Java, will be clogged during the annual event. Moreover, many stretches of those roads are still damaged due to bad weather and the constant traffic of overloaded trucks, dashing any hope that the exodus this year will be the smoothest one ever.
Besides the expected heavy traffic, safety has been a daunting challenge for travelers, especially those who are set to travel by motorcycle, tipped as the most vulnerable means of transportation. At least 616 people died in traffic accidents during the homecoming festivities last year, a good number of them motorcyclists. And although the figure is predicted to be much lower this year due to better roads and traffic management system, it remains a cause for concern, knowing that the number of people set to return home by motorcycle is expected to shoot up to 3.9 million this year, up from 2.5 million last year.
Despite being confronted with heavy traffic, long distances and traffic accidents, why do so many people still insist on undertaking the annual exodus? Foreigners may be confused to see many motorcyclists risk their and their families‘ lives riding motorcycles for hundreds of kilometers to enjoy the annual holiday.
But there are several reasons why these people think that the long and winding journey is worthwhile.
First, for many people working in Jakarta and other big cities, the homecoming exodus is an event not to be missed. They have worked hard for nigh on a year and have been waiting this moment, when they can break themselves free from routines.
The Idul Fitri holidays allow them to meet with parents, relatives and hometown friends, and so can revive bonds among them that evaporated during their stay in the big cities. They will have plenty of time during Idul Fitri to eat meals together, share stories and experiences in a joyful atmosphere - something that rarely occurs in a fast-paced environment such as Jakarta.
Second, the event is used not only as a moment of solace, but can be expanded as an event where holiday travelers, friends and neighbors can network to boost their careers or businesses. This networking event can end in new business deals or the creation of employment, and if that happens, it will eventually strengthen social bonds among the persons involved.
Third, the annual exodus rejuvenates bonds between parents and their children. For many parents who have been left at home by their children seeking money for a living in big cities, meeting once a year with the children and grandchildren has been most sought-after, following months of deep yearning. In order to fulfill that need, many parents request the children to return home every year to perform sungkem (show respect by kneeling and pressing one‘s face to an elder‘s knees) as a sign of homage to their parents.
For the children, returning home during Idul Fitri gives the signal to their parents that they still care about them. This is very meaningful for the parents, and boosts their spirit to stay alive, and can enhance bonds between parents and their children.
Fourth, the annual exodus is an event to share wealth with needy neighbors, friends and relatives back home. The amount distributed is normally small, but at the very least, it shows that the holiday travelers still care about less-fortunate friends or relatives living in the countryside, and again, it is a good way of enhancing social bonds.
The event has long been an arena for the redistribution of economic resources, as people from Jakarta spend money on food, handicrafts, clothes and other items in the capital, in areas along their way home, and around their hometowns; certainly all these consumer activities help spur economic growth in all the areas.
Fifth, the annual exodus is an event where people exhibit their success to others. On the one hand, it is deemed extravagant, cocky and useless, and therefore, to avoid social jealousy, it is not supposed to be done. However, if we look at it from another angle, the habit could be a source of inspiration for the hopeless and unemployed individuals living in the countryside.
It has been common practice for people living in the countryside to join their friends or relatives who are already successful in nurturing professional lives in big cities. It poses a big headache for the Jakarta government, as the number of the city‘s inhabitants swells after the Idul Fitri holidays and enhances problem of urbanization, but at least the migration has helped reduced the number of unemployed people in the countryside, who can now fetch a regular source of income for relatives and families left back home.
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The author is a staff writer at The Jakarta Post.
Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com
