INFOKU, BLORA -Coconut leaf sellers have emerged ahead of the 2025 Ketupat Eid tradition (bodo kupat) at the Blora traditional market, Central Java.
Their appearance became the target for most local residents to buy.
The Ketupat Eid tradition is celebrated by some Blora Muslims every D+7 of Eid al-Fitr.
Coconut leaves sold in traditional markets are still supplied from outside Blora Regency, such as Rembang, Tuban and Kebumen.
Jari, one of the coconut leaf sellers at the Sido Makmur traditional market, from Sumurboto Village, Jepon District, said that coconut leaf will start to be sold on D+1 of Eid al-Fitr 1446 Hijriah.
Also read: The Story of the Origin of Ketupat, Started by Sunan Kalijaga
"I received a shipment of coconut leaves from Kebumen. One bundle containing 50 strands of coconut leaves costs Rp20,000.00. While one bundle consisting of 10 strands of coconut leaves costs Rp5,000.00," he explained, at the Sido Makmur Blora traditional market, Friday, April 4, 2025.
In addition to providing coconut leaves, he also provides ketupat casings and lepet strings as well as old coconuts to make vegetable coconut milk.
"Buyers who want ready-made ketupat casings, I provide them, I even make them myself, the price is IDR 15,000.00 for 10 pieces," said Suwarti, another janur seller.
Suwarti admitted that seasonal activities were carried out to increase family income.
"I have been doing this every year before Kupatan," he said.
Not only in the Sido Makmur Blora market, coconut leaf sellers also appear in Gedongsari Village Market, Jepon Market, Banjarejo Traditional Market, Ngawen and other traditional markets in Blora Regency.
Ngarmin, a coconut leaf seller at the Gedongsari traditional market in Banjarejo District, said that he bought the coconut leaf from Sulang Market, Rembang Regency.
"I left at 04.00 in the morning, then bought (kulak) janur at Sulang market. From Sulang Market the price was Rp15,000.00/bunch. When I arrived in Blora I sold it for Rp20,000.00/bunch containing 50 strands of janur," said the man from Balongsari Village, Banjarejo District.
He bought coconut leaves from Sulang market, about 100 bundles, transported by motorbike. Then when he arrived at the market, he was immediately mobbed by buyers.
"Thank God, it's always sold out by residents and sellers at the market," he added.
Meanwhile, apart from hunting and buying coconut leaves at traditional markets, some residents choose to order several bundles from street vendors, then have them delivered to their homes.
Also read: Eid al-Fitr a Self-Transformation
"Once a year, we make ketupat and lepet to eat with family and share with relatives," said Watini, a resident of Jepangrejo, Blora District.
He admitted that the price of coconut leaves is relatively affordable.
On the other hand, a number of sellers also provide ready-to-eat lontong, ketupat and lepet that have been cooked so that buyers can just eat them.
However, the price is different when compared to making it yourself.
"For cooked lontong, one piece is Rp3,000.00. Lepet is Rp3,500.00 and ketupat is Rp3,000.00. This is ready to eat, no need to bother making it," said Safitri, a seller of ready-to-eat ketupat and lepet.
Ketupat or kupat is made from rice, enjoyed with coconut milk soup vegetables. While lepet is made from sticky rice mixed with grated coconut and some added tholo beans.
Some villagers, on the morning of Lebaran Ketupat, usually hold a celebration centered at the home of a village official or community leader.
In addition, some Blora residents also go on vacation while bringing ketupat and lepet supplies to the beach such as Kartini Rembang beach or the beaches in Jepara Regency.
Also read: Eid al-Fitr 1446 in 2025
The term ketupat is often used for parikan at certain events, for example, kupat kecemplung santen, menawi kathah lepat nyuwun pangapunten (kupat dipped in coconut milk sauce, if there is any mistake, please forgive me).
"It is interesting and meaningful, part of local wisdom, because it is still in the atmosphere of Eid or in the month of Syawal and forgiving each other," said Sagita Ayu, a vocational school student in Blora while buying coconut leaves at the Sido Makmur traditional market. (Setyorini/KOM)
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