INFOKU, BLORA - Coconut leaf sellers are starting to appear in the traditional market of Blora, Central Java ahead of Lebaran Ketupat or the kupatan tradition in 2024.
Sarmi, one of the coconut leaf sellers at the Sido Makmur traditional market, from Dukuh Pojok, Buluroto Village, Blora District, said that selling coconut leaves will start on H+1 of Idul Fitri 1445 Hijriah.
The Eid Ketupat tradition is carried out by some Blora Muslims every H+7 of Idul Fitri.
“I got a shipment of coconut leaves from Kebumen. One bundle containing 50 leaves costs IDR 20,000.00. "Meanwhile, one bunch consisting of 10 strands of coconut leaves costs Rp. 5,000.00," he explained, at the Sido Makmur Blora traditional market, yesterday.
Also read: Hunting for Coconut Janur & "Kupat Kecemplung Santen"
Apart from providing coconut leaves, he also provides ketupat casings and lepet binding strings as well as old coconuts to make vegetable coconut milk.
"Buyers who want ready-made ketupat casings that I provide, I even make them directly, the price is IDR 10,000.00 per 10 pieces," said Sarmi.
Meanwhile, Sukijan, another coconut leaf seller from Kaliweden Blora, said that seasonal activities are carried out to increase family income.
"I have done this every year before Kupatan," he said.
Some Blora residents have started hunting and buying coconut leaves both in traditional markets and those sold around by traders.
"Once a year, make ketupat and lepet and eat it with the family and share it with relatives," said Siti, a resident of Gedongsari Village, Banjarejo District.
He admitted that the price of coconut leaves is relatively affordable.
Not only at the Sido Makmur market in Blora, coconut leaf sellers have also appeared at the Gedongsari Village Market, Jepon Market, Banjarejo Traditional Market, Ngawen and other traditional markets in Blora Regency.
Ketupat or kupat is made from rice, enjoyed with vegetables in coconut milk sauce. Meanwhile, lepet is made from sticky rice mixed with grated coconut and some add tholo nuts.
Some residents in rural areas, on the morning of Eid Ketupat, usually hold celebrations centered on the homes of village officials or community leaders.
Apart from that, several Blora residents also travel carrying ketupat and lepet supplies to beaches such as Kartini Rembang beach or beaches in the Jepara Regency area.
The term ketupat is often used for parikan on certain occasions, for example, kupat kecemplung santen, menawi kathah lepat nyuwun pangapunten (kupat dipped in coconut milk sauce, if there is a mistake please forgive).
"That's interesting, part of local wisdom, because we are still in the Eid atmosphere or in the month of Shawwal and we forgive each other," said Mohammad Taufiqurrahman, an enthusiast of the kupatan tradition from Randublatung District, Blora. (Setyorini/KOM)
