Walk through any Indonesian village at 3:00 AM during Ramadhan and you’ll hear it before you see it. The rhythmic, metallic clink-clank of bamboo hitting wood or plastic buckets being thrashed. It’s loud. It’s chaotic. It’s the Tung Tung Sahur tradition. But lately, it isn't just about the noise. People are showing up in full tung tung sahur costume gear, turning a simple wake-up call into a neighborhood-wide fashion show of the absurd.
Honestly, the whole thing is kinda wild if you think about it. You have teenagers who should be exhausted, instead running around dressed as ghosts, superheroes, or even giant food items, all to make sure the neighborhood doesn't miss their pre-dawn meal. It’s a mix of religious duty and pure, unadulterated street theater.
The Weird Evolution of the Tung Tung Sahur Costume
Back in the day, a "costume" for sahur on the road was just a sarong wrapped around your neck to keep the morning chill away. Maybe a peci hat if you were feeling formal. Not anymore. Now, the tung tung sahur costume has become a way for youth groups (often the Remaja Masjid or local neighborhood kids) to go viral on TikTok or Instagram.
You’ll see the "Pocong" look quite often. It’s a classic. Someone wraps themselves in white sheets like a traditional Indonesian shroud ghost, jumping around while hitting a bamboo kentongan. It’s terrifying for a split second until you realize the "ghost" is actually just your neighbor’s nephew, Budi, who is also holding a glowing LED stick.
There is also the "Daster" trend. Boys will wear their mothers' house dresses—the iconic, floral daster—while drumming on old oil drums. It’s hilarious, slightly irreverent, and serves one purpose: to be so loud and visually distracting that you can't possibly sleep through it. This shift from functional clothing to performative costumes marks a change in how Gen Z and Gen Alpha in Indonesia view traditional customs. They aren't just participating; they're "content creating" in real-time.
Why the Bamboo Matters More Than the Clothes
While the tung tung sahur costume grabs the eyeballs, the "Tung Tung" itself is the soul of the movement. The name comes from the sound of the kentongan, a slit drum usually made from bamboo or teak.
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- Bamboo Kentongan: The OG instrument. High pitched, sharp, and cuts through the sound of a heavy sleeper’s fan or air conditioner.
- Galon Air: The modern upgrade. Those big blue 19-liter water jugs. They provide a deep, bassy thud that vibrates through house walls.
- Iron Pipes: For that industrial, metallic "ting" that stays in your ears for twenty minutes.
When you pair these instruments with a coordinated costume, you get a "Pawai Sahur" (Sahur Parade). In cities like Samarinda or various spots in Central Java, these parades are actually organized competitions. People spend weeks building floats and sewing outfits. It’s basically Carnival, just at four in the morning and fueled by the promise of rice and tempe.
Regional Flavour: Not All Costumes Are Created Equal
If you go to South Sulawesi, specifically in places like Bone or Makassar, the sahur tradition has a different weight. Here, the tung tung sahur costume might lean more towards traditional attire or uniform-like solidarity among local youth groups. They take pride in the synchronization. It isn't just a random scramble; it’s a performance.
In Jakarta, it’s a total melting pot. You might see a group of kids dressed as characters from Mobile Legends or Free Fire. It sounds ridiculous—and it is—but it’s an authentic reflection of what these kids care about. They are blending their digital lives with a tradition that dates back centuries. Some older folks grumble about it. They think the "sacredness" of the sahur call is being lost to cosplay.
But is it?
Most cultural experts, like those studying Indonesian folklore at Universitas Indonesia, argue that traditions only survive if they adapt. If kids feel like they have to wear a formal baju koko and act solemn, they might stop doing it altogether. By allowing the tung tung sahur costume to become a creative outlet, the community ensures that the streets stay lively. The noise serves its purpose. The bellies get filled. The fast is started on time.
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DIY vs. Store-Bought: The Economy of Sahur
You can’t really go to a mall and find a "Tung Tung Sahur" section. It’s almost entirely DIY. This is where the real "human" element of the tradition shines.
I’ve seen costumes made entirely out of recycled instant noodle wrappers. I’ve seen kids paint their faces with charcoal from the evening’s satay grill. There’s a certain grit to it. However, in recent years, marketplaces like Shopee and Tokopedia have seen a spike in sales for "Pocong" outfits or "Funny Masks" specifically during the month of Ramadhan.
Costume Breakdown for the Aspiring Participant:
- The Base: Usually something breathable. It’s humid in Indonesia, even at night. Most go with a simple t-shirt and shorts hidden under the main rig.
- The "Gimmick": This is the mask, the cape, or the ghost shroud.
- The Sound Maker: A bamboo pole (the tung tung) or a plastic bucket strapped to the waist with a raffia string.
- The Lighting: Since it’s pitch black, many now incorporate fairy lights or glow sticks into their costumes. It’s safety-meets-style.
Addressing the "Annoyance" Factor
Let's be real for a second. Not everyone loves a 15-man drum line in neon costumes screaming "SAHUUUUR!" outside their window. There’s a constant debate in Indonesian social media circles about the "Adab" (etiquette) of these parades.
Some groups take the tung tung sahur costume and the loud music too far. They bring massive sound systems on trucks that rattle windows and wake up babies who don't need to fast. There’s a fine line between a cultural tradition and a public nuisance. Most local neighborhood leaders (RT/RW) now set rules: no sound systems, just acoustic instruments, and definitely no firecrackers.
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The costume, oddly enough, helps bridge the gap. It’s hard to be truly angry at a kid dressed as a giant banana hitting a piece of bamboo. It adds a layer of humor that softens the blow of being jolted awake at 3:30 AM. It turns a "wake-up call" into a "community moment."
How to Get Involved or Observe
If you're a traveler or someone new to a neighborhood and you want to witness this, you don't need a ticket. Just stay awake. Or rather, set an alarm.
The best action usually happens in the last ten days of Ramadhan (Lailatul Qadar), as the energy levels (and the desperation to stay awake) hit their peak. If you want to join, the most important part of your tung tung sahur costume isn't the look—it's the shoes. You’ll be running. A lot.
Actionable Insights for the Best Sahur Experience
- Prioritize Light Materials: If you're making a costume, use cotton or mesh. Once you start drumming and walking for three kilometers, you will overheat.
- Safety First: If your costume is dark, add reflective tape. Indonesian side streets are notoriously poorly lit, and motorbikes still zip around at those hours.
- Respect the Elders: If you see a house with a "Baby Sleeping" sign or a known elderly resident who is ill, dampen the noise. The best sahur groups are those that know when to go loud and when to tip-toe.
- Keep it Traditional: Even if you're wearing a Spiderman mask, try to carry a bamboo kentongan. It keeps the "Tung Tung" sound alive and honors the roots of the activity.
- Document Carefully: If you’re filming for social media, make sure you aren't invading people's privacy inside their homes. Focus on the group and the energy of the street.
The tung tung sahur costume is a living, breathing example of Indonesian "Gotong Royong" (communal cooperation) mixed with a bit of chaotic comedy. It’s not perfect, it’s definitely not quiet, but it’s a piece of cultural identity that refuses to fade away. Whether it’s a ghost, a superhero, or just a kid in a sarong, the goal remains the same: making sure no one eats alone, and no one misses the blessing of the morning meal.
To prep for the next season, start looking at local thrift stores for oversized fabrics or begin curing a piece of bamboo now. The louder and more creative, the better. Just remember to keep the rhythm steady—everyone is counting on that "tung tung" to get their day started.