Banca’an

Banca’an is an old tradition in Java. It is popular among people in villages in Java; mostly in Central Java and Yogyakarta, Indonesia. This is an event to celebrating birth and birthday. The unique thing of Banca’an is that it invites only children. The Banca’an’s owner asks the audience for their praying for good thing the owner wants.

Banca’an is usually held in the evening around 4 or 5 PM. somebody goes to football field, houses, and paddy field to inform and invite children that there is Banca’an in the house. Like a fire kisses the gasoline, the information is quickly spread throughout the hungry children. With full enthusiasm, those children then come to the Banca’an’s owner house. A Complete white rice Tumpeng and pincuk that made of banana leaves as the plate, is ready. Aside is a lady ready to serve the children. That lady is the Banca’an’s owner.

Tumpeng is made of white rice, gudhangan (mixed vegetables with coconut sauce), egg, salted fish, tempe, banana, orange and other fruits.

After praying session, the tumpeng is then distributed by the owner. She will fill the pincuks with rice, vegetables, egg fish and fruits and it is then given to the children. One pincuk for one kid. Gosh, it tastes so good for they enjoy it together in the evening with all their friends and cheerful. When they finish and about to come home, the owner gives them money. Not much but it makes those children happy.

This tradition is rarely found in java recently as it now birthday party takes apart. Banca'an is one thing from my past that I miss…