Sura and Suro come from the word Ashura, which is the tenth day of Muharram, marking the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS) and his companions in the 680 AD Battle of Karbala.
In Jawa, where the calendar is similar to the Islamic Hijri calendar, the month of Sura is the first month of the year, like Muharram that is the first month of the Hijri year.
There are different traditions in Indonesia that are practiced in this month.
Some of them are as follows:
Tabot (Carrying A Coffin) in Bengkulu
This ritual is annually held in the first ten days of Muharram in the city of Bengkulu in tribute to Imam Hussein (AS) and his struggle against injustice and oppression. The tradition has come to be known as a symbol of resistance.
Tabot (Carrying A Coffin) in Pariaman
A similar ritual is held in Pariaman in Western Sumatra. Attended by thousands of Muslims, it has turned into a tourism attraction in the area.
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Asan Us in Aceh
People in Aceh refer to Muharram as the Bulen apui or Asan Us (Hassan and Hussein) month. In this month, people pay tribute to Imam Hussein (AS) and avoid holding weddings or building homes, etc, on the Day of Ashura.
Fereny Sura in Madura
In Madura in East Java, people prepare a special food known as Fereny Sura, which is a kind of porridge made with rice. It is prepared in two colors, red, which symbolizes the blood of Imam Hussein (AS) shed on the Day of Ashura, and white, which symbolizes the purity of his uprising.
Sura in Klaten
People in Klaten, Central Java, observe a ritual of staying awake for 24 hours on the 7th day of Muharram for the purpose of reflection and spirituality.
Pempek in Palembang
On the Day of Ashura, the Ki Gede Ing Su Mosque in Palembang in south of Sumatra gives out votive food in a ceremony attended by hundreds of people from nearby areas.
Muharram is the first month in the lunar Hijri calendar.
Shia Muslims, and others in different parts of the world, hold ceremonies every year in the month of Muharram to mourn the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS) and his companions.
The third Shia Imam (AS) and a small group of his followers and family members were martyred by the tyrant of his time - Yazid Bin Muawiya, in the battle of Karbala on the tenth day of Muharram (known as Ashura) in the year 680 AD.
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