Torchlight parades light up Indonesia ahead of Ramadan

The South Asia Times

JAKARTA - Streets across several towns and villages in Indonesia glowed with flickering flames and festive chants as communities staged traditional torchlight parades to welcome the holy month of Ramadan, set to begin later this week around the world.

The annual celebrations, locally known in many areas as pawai obor, saw children, teenagers, and families marching through neighborhoods carrying bamboo torches, lanterns, and colorful banners.

The processions were accompanied by rhythmic drumbeats, prayers, and chants praising the arrival of the sacred month.

In parts of Jakarta, as well as towns across Java and Sumatra, residents gathered after evening prayers, forming long illuminated lines that wound through narrow streets and main roads alike. Organizers said the parades are meant to express joy and gratitude as Muslims prepare for a month of fasting, reflection, and community.

Local religious leaders described the torchlight procession as both a spiritual and cultural tradition -- a symbolic act of bringing light into homes and hearts ahead of Ramadan. “It is a way to teach children about the meaning of Ramadan while strengthening bonds within the community,” one organizer said.

Security personnel and volunteers were deployed in several areas to ensure safety during the festivities, as large crowds gathered to participate or watch from the roadside.

Indonesia, home to the world’s largest Muslim population, observes Ramadan with deep devotion and vibrant local customs. The torchlight parades mark the beginning of a month characterized by dawn-to-dusk fasting, nightly prayers, charitable giving, and communal iftar meals.

As the holy month approaches, mosques across the archipelago are preparing for special nightly Tarawih prayers, while markets are already bustling with shoppers buying dates, sweets, and traditional foods.

The torchlit celebrations reflect the anticipation and unity felt across Indonesia -- and in Muslim communities worldwide -- as Ramadan begins.