UNAIR NEWS – Tradition of sungkeman becomes one of the routines during Eid celebration awaited by human rights expert of Faculty of Law Universitas Airlangga , Dr. R. Herlambang Perdana Wiratraman.

In Javanese terms, sungkeman is a meaningful tradition of kneeling while kissing the hands of the elders.

“The usual thing done in my family is sungkeman with older family members. There are usually messages and prayers given. Sungkeman is one of the awaited moments and I want to continue the tradition, “said the lecturer who was born in Jember.

He said that is a meaningful moment for self-reflection. “After fasting, we will become person who is istikamah, avoid negative things and certainly make yourself better,” added the lecturer who plans to go home to Jember during Lebaran.

In his busy work in Singapore, Herlambang took the time to return home before Eid ‘al Fitr on June 25. For him, the moment of gathering with the family becomes his source of energy for him.

“Singapore and Indonesia are close. So, of course I went home to celebrate Eid with my family. In the past, when I studied in the Netherlands for six years, I always take home during Lebaran even though the funds are mediocre, “he said.

“For me, getting together with my family gives me a spiritual energy that makes me feel even better,” added Herlambang who is currently completing his task in Singapore as a guest researcher of the National University of Singapore’s Center for Asian Legal Studies (CALS).

Herlambang added, technological advancement can be utilized to communicate when people are constrained by distance. He had felt it before. However, thanks to technological advancement, Herlambang can communicate with the family through voice calls or video calls.

Author: Pradita Desyanti

Editor: Defrina Sukma S