It’s 3:00 AM. The air is cool, heavy with the scent of damp earth and night-blooming jasmine. Most of the neighborhood is dead silent, tucked away under thin blankets. Then, you hear it. A rhythmic, metallic clatter starts at the end of the block. Tung. Tung. Tung-tung-tung. It isn’t a professional drum corps. It isn’t an alarm clock. It’s a group of teenagers with empty biscuit tins and bamboo poles. This is tung tung sahur, the chaotic, beautiful, and deeply rooted Indonesian tradition of waking people up for their pre-dawn meal during Ramadan.
If you’ve ever lived in a small kampung or a bustling Jakarta alleyway, you know this sound. It’s primal. It’s communal. Honestly, it’s sometimes a little annoying if you aren't fasting, but it’s an inseparable part of the cultural fabric in the world's most populous Muslim nation.
What Exactly Is Tung Tung Sahur?
Basically, "tung tung sahur" is an onomatopoeic name. The "tung" represents the sound made when hitting a kentongan (a traditional slit drum made of bamboo or wood) or, more commonly these days, an old Gallon of Le Minerale or a rusty "Khong Guan" biscuit tin. "Sahur" refers to the meal consumed by Muslims before the sun rises and the daily fast begins.
The goal is simple: make enough noise to ensure no one misses their meal. If you miss sahur, your 14-hour fast is going to be a lot harder. People take the responsibility of waking their neighbors very seriously.
Traditionally, this wasn't just about noise. It was about safety. In the past, the night watchmen (Poskamling) would strike the kentongan to signal that the village was secure and that it was time to eat. Over decades, this evolved. It shifted from a formal security duty to a grassroots youth activity. Now, you’ll see groups of kids, sometimes as young as ten, roaming the streets with carts, speakers, and improvised percussion instruments.
The Instruments of the Trade
You don't need a music degree for this. You just need something that resonates.
The classic instrument is the kentongan. It has a hollow, woody "thwack" that carries for blocks. But kids are creative. I’ve seen groups using empty plastic water jugs, which produce a deeper, thudding "thump." Others prefer the high-pitched "ping" of a metal pipe hit with a bolt.
Some neighborhoods have actually upgraded. In places like Jogjakarta or East Java, "tung tung sahur" has morphed into "thek-thek" or "koplo sahur." They don't just hit cans; they bring out full drum sets on wheels, portable sound systems blasting dangdut music, and even electric keyboards. It’s basically a mobile rave at 3:30 in the morning. Is it loud? Extremely. Does it work? Absolutely.
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Why We Don't Just Use Smartphones
You might wonder why anyone bothers with this in 2026. We all have iPhones. We have loud alarms. We have smart watches that vibrate on our wrists.
But tung tung sahur persists because it’s about the "jama’ah"—the community. There’s something profoundly human about knowing your neighbors are looking out for you. An iPhone alarm is clinical. A group of kids shouting "Sahuur! Sahuur!" outside your window is a reminder that you aren't fasting alone. It’s a collective experience.
Also, let’s be real: some people are heavy sleepers. A gentle "Marimba" ringtone isn't going to cut it when you’ve only had four hours of sleep. You need the rhythmic chaos of a biscuit tin to truly shake the soul awake.
The Cultural Nuances and Controversies
It isn't all sunshine and drumbeats. Like anything involving loud noises in the middle of the night, there’s friction.
In recent years, there has been a lot of debate about how loud is "too loud." In some upscale urban neighborhoods, residents have complained to the local RT (neighborhood head) about the noise. Not everyone in Indonesia is Muslim, and not every Muslim is fasting (children, the elderly, or those who are ill).
Back in 2021, a famous Indonesian celebrity, Zaskia Adya Mecca, sparked a massive national conversation when she questioned whether waking people up with a megaphone was "ethical" or "polite." It divided the internet. Some felt the traditional way was becoming too aggressive, while others argued that criticizing it was losing touch with "local wisdom" (kearifan lokal).
Since then, many areas have implemented "soft rules."
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- No megaphones unless it’s from the Mosque.
- The parade must keep moving (don't stand in front of one house for ten minutes).
- Instruments should be traditional, not just loud speakers.
Regional Variations You Should Know
Indonesia is massive. The way they do "tung tung sahur" in Medan is different from how they do it in Makassar.
In Gorontalo, they have the "Koko'o" tradition. It’s similar, but the rhythms are more complex, almost like a coordinated performance. In Banyuwangi, the "Endog-endogan" festivities sometimes overlap with sahur activities, making it a massive cultural spectacle.
In many parts of Central Java, the youth use a "bedug"—a large double-headed drum. They pull it on a cart, and the deep bass can be felt in your chest from three houses away. It’s majestic and slightly terrifying if you’re in a deep sleep.
The Modern "Digital" Sahur
TikTok and Instagram have changed the game. Now, these youth groups aren't just trying to wake the neighbors; they’re trying to go viral. You’ll see choreographed dances, funny costumes (some kids dress as "pocong" or ghosts to add a bit of shock value), and incredibly talented percussion solos.
This has actually helped preserve the tradition. Gen Z and Gen Alpha are finding it "cool" again. They record their outings, edit them with trending audio, and post them. It’s turned a chore into a creative outlet.
Getting It Right: Actionable Tips for Locals and Travelers
If you find yourself in an Indonesian neighborhood during Ramadan, here is how to navigate the "tung tung sahur" phenomenon without losing your mind or offending anyone.
For Travelers:
Don't be alarmed. If you hear banging at 3:00 AM, there is no emergency. It’s just the community alarm clock. If you’re a light sleeper, stay in a high-rise hotel rather than a local guesthouse or "homestay." High-rise windows are usually thick enough to dampen the sound. However, if you want the "authentic" experience, step out onto your balcony and watch. It’s a rare glimpse into a culture that prioritizes the collective over the individual.
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For Locals/Youth Groups:
Keep the "tung tung" rhythmic. Noise for the sake of noise is just... noise. But a beat? That's art. Also, be mindful of houses with small babies or the elderly. A quick pass is fine, but lingering with a megaphone is usually where the trouble starts.
For Content Creators:
If you’re filming a sahur parade, give the kids a small tip or some snacks for their own sahur later. They’re doing this for free, usually out of a sense of fun and religious duty. A little appreciation goes a long way.
Why This Tradition Matters in 2026
We live in an increasingly isolated world. We order food on apps. We work from home. We talk to our friends through screens. Tung tung sahur is one of the last remaining "analog" traditions that forces people to interact with the physical space around them.
It’s loud, it’s messy, and it’s perfectly Indonesian. It’s a reminder that even in a world of AI and automation, there is no substitute for a group of friends, a bamboo stick, and the shared goal of making sure everyone gets a meal before the sun comes up.
To participate in or even just witness "tung tung sahur" is to understand the heart of Indonesian communal life: Gotong Royong (mutual cooperation). It’s the idea that we are all responsible for each other, even at three in the morning.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check Local Schedules: If you are planning to visit Indonesia during Ramadan (the dates shift every year based on the lunar calendar), check the expected start date so you aren't caught off guard by the 3 AM wake-up calls.
- Identify the Sound: Distinguish between the Adhan (the call to prayer from the mosque) and the Tung Tung Sahur (the mobile street percussion). The former is formal and melodic; the latter is rhythmic and grassroots.
- Support Local Youth: If you live in a neighborhood with a sahur group, consider donating old tins or providing bottled water to the kids who keep the tradition alive. It builds rapport and ensures the tradition stays respectful and community-focused.