It should be noted, however, that I do not mean that “joy” and “jihad” by necessity should be understood as contrasting with each other here. The subtitle of this work seeks to mediate this Javanese attitude towards Ramadanic fasting. This is, according to the Javanese, what rightly can be denoted as the “greater jihad.” It is thus a struggle or exertion (jihad) that is both harder and more important within Islam than the “lesser jihad,” or physical warfare, and it is directed towards one’s own self and worldly desires. To be given the opportunity to abstain from food, drink and sexual relations from the wee hours of the morning until sunset during an entire month in a tropical climate-only to fill the nights with additional and supererogatory Ramadanic rituals-is thus waited upon each year and seen as a true blessing. PREFACE Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is both a joy and a jihad for the Islamic community in Java, and it is arguably the most highly esteemed ritual in Muslim Indonesia (and beyond). ~ Translation by Jenny Nunn in “To a Friend” ~ See further [(Thanks to Tord Olsson for reciting this poem at an apt occasion.) Move on, move on! The new day is dawning. In the place, where you sleep but once, sleep becomes safe and the dream full of song. The greatest aim is a night long rest, where the fire is lit and the bread broken in haste. There is probably purpose and meaning in our journey but it is the pathway there, which is worth our while. ~ Karin Boye, “I rörelse”, from “Härdarna” ~ På ställen, där man sover blott en gång, blir sömnen trygg och drömmen full av sång. Det bästa målet är en nattlång rast, där elden tänds och brödet bryts i hast. Nog finns det mål och mening i vår färd men det är vägen, som är mödan värd. TYPESET BYĪndr‚e & Firdani M¦oller FIRST PUBLISHED AS: ISBN 91-22-02116-4882 ISSN 1103-4882ĭen mätta dagen, den är aldrig störst. LUND STUDIES IN HISTORY OF RELIGIONS General Editor Tord Olsson VOLUMEĭe pa rtme nt o f H ist ory an d An thr o po l o gy of Re li g i on s Lu nd University Lund, AUTHOR AND ANPERE RAMADAN IN JAVA THE JOY AND JIHAD OF RITUAL FASTING PUBLICLY DEFENDED IN MAY PUBLISHED ON ANPERE IN MAYĭO YOU WANT TO BUY THE PRINT VERSION? E-MAIL:
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