RRI.CO.ID, Demak - On the 21st night of Ramadan, the streets of the Griya Bhakti Praja housing complex in Mangunjiwan, Demak Regency, Central Java, came alive with the tradition of Weh-Weh Buweh, a communal practice of giving that has been preserved for generations.

The ritual, held on Tuesday evening, March 10, 2026, after the Maghrib prayer, saw children carrying homemade snacks and drinks from their homes to exchange with friends and neighbors.

The offerings ranged from fried noodles and light snacks to milk, fruit ice, grass jelly, pudding, and ice cream. Some residents also handed out fresh IDR 5,000 (approx. USD 0.30) banknotes as part of holiday almsgiving.

The choice of the 21st night is significant. In the Javanese-Islamic tradition, this night marks the beginning of maleman, the odd-numbered nights in the last ten days of Ramadan, which are considered spiritually important.

These nights are associated with Lailatul Qadr (the Night of Decree), believed to fall on one of them.

In Demak and other parts of Java, the 21st night is often treated as the first major maleman celebration, when communities gather to enliven Ramadan with cultural and religious activities. Holding Weh-Weh Buweh on this night reflects both the spiritual anticipation of the last ten days and the communal spirit of sharing.

Local resident Putri explained that the term Weh-Weh comes from the Javanese word weweh, meaning “to give.” She said the tradition symbolizes shared happiness, tolerance, mutual cooperation, and almsgiving.

Mustagfirin, the neighborhood chairman, said the tradition has long been carried out and continues to be enlivened each year. “Alhamdulillah, every year it is always enlivened by children. Not only children, but parents also participate in mentoring and enlivening this activity,” he said.

The involvement of parents ensures that the etiquette of giving and receiving is passed down correctly, preserving the cultural integrity of Maleman, the Ramadan night celebrations, in Demak. ***