Museum History of Java in Indonesia has an beautiful collection of chewing betel nut herb. On several Indonesian islands, betel nut delicacies are given not just to the living but also as gifts to the dead and as offerings to the gods during various rituals. While the court utilises gold and silver containers, the ordinary population typically uses wicker or metal garden tools.
The practise of eating betel is widespread among the archipelago’s tribes. In rituals, social interactions, and health, Menyirih tradition is significant. Betel and areca nuts are prized both as recreational items and as medicines with antibacterial properties. Betel and areca nuts are offered to guests by the host as a gesture of goodwill and civility. Additionally, betel and areca nuts are served during a variety of events, particularly those that honour deceased relatives. Serving calls for areca nut (areca catechu), betel leaf (Piper betle), and additional herbs like Whiting (Calcium exyde) and Gambier (unracia Gambier).
In addition to being made of gold and precious stones, pekinangan containers have a variety of unique shapes , ranging from The Shape of Paksinagaliman mythological animals to winged fish. Most of these mythical beasts are a mixture of several animal traits. This may be related to Hindu mythology.
In Hindu ceremonies and mythology, animals serve as carriers or containers. Symbolically, an object carried on the back or belly of an animal container it is believed to be able to connect with the gods in the world up there.
The practise of eating betel is widespread among the archipelago’s tribes. In rituals, social interactions, and health, Menyirih tradition is significant. Betel and areca nuts are prized both as recreational items and as medicines with antibacterial properties. Betel and areca nuts are offered to guests by the host as a gesture of goodwill and civility. Additionally, betel and areca nuts are served during a variety of events, particularly those that honour deceased relatives. Serving calls for areca nut (areca catechu), betel leaf (Piper betle), and additional herbs like Whiting (Calcium exyde) and Gambier (unracia Gambier).
Palembang people call betel container as tepak betel tepak betel is a place or container to present equipment menyelih. “In the life of the people of South Sumatra, the place of kinang or pekinangan is commonly referred to as the term tepak”. The presence of tepak betel Palembang can not be separated from the tradition of menyelih owned by the people of Palembang in the past.
The Islamic Mataram kingdom was an Islamic kingdom on the island of Java that ruled between the 16th and 18th centuries. The founder of the Islamic Mataram Kingdom was Danang Sutawijaya or Panembahan Senopati. While Sultan Agung, who ruled between 1613 to 1645, was a famous King who managed to bring the Islamic Mataram Kingdom to the peak of glory. At first, the location of the Mataram Sultanate was in Kotagede, Yogyakarta. However, this kingdom collapsed after it split into two powers, namely Nagari Sultanate of Ngayogyakarta and Nagari Kasunanan Surakarta, through the Giyanti agreement agreed in 1755 AD. Therefore, the Islamic Mataram Kingdom left its history in two different cities, namely Yogyakarta and Surakarta.
Inder or menyirih is one of Indonesia’s cultural heritage is very valuable. This custom has been going on for thousands of years.
The tradition consists of chewing betel nut, betel, Gambier, tobacco, lime, and cloves. This activity has become part of the life of the Indonesian people and has become a symbol for the indigenous Malay community. Many people think of host habits as just old habits that are no longer relevant. However, when we understand the function and philosophy contained in the habit of hosting, then we will be able to understand how important it is to maintain the continuity of this tradition.
Hostin is not just an eating habit as usual, but also a cultural activity that is loaded with philosophical and symbolic meaning.
Let’s visit History of Java Museum Yogyakarta!
