Kedungkandang (malangkota.go.id) – Welcoming the Holy Month of Ramadan 1446 Hijriah, the Gribig Religi Village Tourism Awareness Group (Pokdarwis) together with the local residents around the Ki Ageng Gribig Tomb Complex held a punggahan tradition by parading apem mountains, Thursday (27/2/2025). This punggahan tradition is a form of reminder for Muslims that they will meet again with the Holy Month of Ramadan.
Head of Pokdarwis Kampung Gribig Religi Devi Nur Hardianto revealed that the apem mountain procession is an annual tradition of residents when Ramadan is approaching. "Ramadan must be welcomed with joy. One of the characteristics is making apem. A simple cake but full of meaning," he explained.
Devi said that apem symbolizes the meaning of an apology to others. "The concept of apem in welcoming Ramadan is through apem we convey an apology, which is never free from shortcomings and mistakes, and prepare to welcome Ramadan with peace, calm, and solemnity," he explained.
Pokdarwis KGR together with residents always strive to maintain the noble values as exemplified by the elders. "The basic concept of this procession is to spread the message, to enliven so that everyone knows and reminds that tomorrow is fasting," he added.
The tradition of making apem to welcome Ramadan, said Devi, has started since 2020 and has become a routine tradition for the community around the tomb of Ki Ageng Gribig. "The majority of participants in this apem gunungan procession are residents around the tomb of Ki Ageng Gribig," she concluded.
One of the visitors to Ki Ageng Gribig's Tomb, Santoso, said he was happy to see the apem gunungan procession tradition firsthand. According to him, this is very good, because traditions like this are very rare. "Even happier if I can get the apem, it tastes delicious," he joked. (cah/yn)
