Besides the Gregorian New Year, which falls on January 1, there is also the Chinese Lunar New Year; Nyepi Day, which is observed by Hindus; the Islamic New Year, or 1 Muharram; and "Satu Suro," the first day of the Javanese calendar.
Each celebration has its own traditions, ranging from festivals, parades, and solemn moments of prayer.
And each celebration demonstrates how the Indonesian people live in harmony amid diversity, celebrating the passage of time in their own ways.
The following are the unique features of the diverse new year celebrations in the country:
1. Gregorian New Year
The Gregorian New Year, which is celebrated on January 1 every year, is one of the most widely anticipated days for people all over the world, including Indonesians.
The New Year Eve's celebration on December 31st is usually enlivened by fireworks shows, the countdown to the new year, and entertainment events.
In big cities like Jakarta, the local government usually organizes a "people's festival" with music stages, bazaars, and cultural attractions to ring in the new year.
Meanwhile, people living in regions celebrate it as per local traditions, such as praying together, holding a torch parade, and sharing a meal.
The Gregorian New Year is not just a celebration, but also a reminder to reflect on the past year's achievements and make new resolutions for the new year.
Although the moment is celebrated in different ways by different people, the spirit is the same, that is, to welcome the new beginning with hope and optimism.
2. Lunar New Year
The Lunar or Chinese New Year, locally called "imlek," is celebrated by Chinese ethnicities all over the world, including in Indonesia. It is a moment full of traditions and prayers.
This celebration marks the beginning of the new year as per the Chinese lunar calendar.
In Indonesia, the Chinese New Year celebrations are rife with traditions such as giving out red envelopes (angpao), enjoying special dishes such as sticky cake (nian gao) and fish salad (yu sheng), and watching lion dance performances.
On this occasion, families gather to have meals together, and thereby strengthen familial bonds.
On imlek, Chinese ethnics also visit temples to offer prayers for health, happiness, and good fortune in the new year.
3. Nyepi
Nyepi, the new year according to the Shaka calendar, is celebrated by Hindus in Indonesia, particularly in Bali Island. It holds spiritual significance for them.
Different from other New Year celebrations that are full of hustle and bustle, Nyepi is observed in complete silence, with people halting all daily activities to focus on self-reflection and purification.
Nyepi begins with a series of rituals, such as the Melasti ritual for purification and the Ogoh-Ogoh parade, which symbolizes the expulsion of negative energy.
On the day of Nyepi, the entire island of Bali pauses: the airport is closed, the streets are deserted, and the use of electricity is often reduced.
Nyepi is also a symbol of the harmony between humans and nature, introspection, and life.
This tradition makes Bali special and teaches universal values about peace and balance.
4. Islamic New Year or 1st Muharram
The Islamic New Year, which falls on 1st Muharram or the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is celebrated by Muslims all over the world, including Indonesia.
1st Muharram is more than just a change of year, as it also commemorates Prophet Muhammad's migration from Mecca to Medina, an important event in Islamic history.
In Indonesia, the 1 Muharram celebration is usually filled with religious activities such as praying together, attending religious sermons, joining the torch parade, and tasyakuran or gathering to have a meal together to express gratitude for blessings.
Some regions observe unique traditions on this day, such as the Kirab Suro in Java, which has spiritual and cultural nuances.
The Islamic New Year is a time of reflection and self-introspection, strengthening faith, and doing more good deeds.
5. Satu Suro
Satu Suro, which coincides with 1st Muharram, is the beginning of the year in the Javanese calendar.
It is regarded as a sacred moment for self-introspection.
In Java, the celebration of Satu Suro is associated with traditional rites such as carrying out fasting, meditation, and ngalap berkah, or seeking efforts to gain blessings and goodness.
One of the famous traditions during Satu Suro is the heirloom procession of the Yogyakarta and Surakarta Palaces, where the palace heirlooms are paraded and then purified.
On this day, some people also carry out silent meditation, or refrain from speaking, throughout the evening as a form of self-reflection.
Satu Suro teaches the importance of harmony, introspection, and maintaining relationships with ancestors, nature, and God.
New year moments offer new hope. Whether through festivity, silence, or self-reflection, each form of celebration reflects the richness of culture and values of Indonesian society.
Translator: Putri H, Kenzu
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
