Indonesia, home to hundreds of tribes and languages, always provides you with a chance to discover and experience the beauty of culture wherever you go. At Telunas Resorts, we employ Indonesians from across the country with a wide range of backgrounds and beliefs. However, since we are located in the Riau Archipelago, the majority of our local staff are Melayu. Malay tradition is strong here, and most of our staff are Muslim.
During this month, we join together to celebrate one of the biggest and most important holidays in Islam: Ramadan. It is a month of cleansing the mind, body, and spirit through the process of fasting - abstaining from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset - and of studying the Koran, praying together, and giving generously to those in need.
Personally, one of my favorite experiences during Ramadan season is iftar (the moment of breaking the fast in the evening after the sun goes down). I especially love joining our staff as they gather to break fast together. Typically, the first thing consumed is dates, followed by a light soup or snack. Then after the Maghrib (sunset) prayer, a larger meal is shared.
On the last night of Ramadan, many of our Telunas staff who live in Batam love to go out and spend the night with our local staff friends. On that night, communities celebrate with children walking around to neighboring houses and families gathering for Idul Fitri (Eid al-Fitr) celebrations - a time for forgiveness, gratitude, and togetherness.
Though it's not the tradition that I grew up with in my home, Ramadan and Idul Fitri have become a special part of my life over the years here, and they remind me that I have a second home and family within the Telunas community.
Deo Sinulingga grew up in North Sumatra, Indonesia. Being Karonese and growing up around cacao plantations, he was familiar with plural worker communities, which taught him to enjoy and value cultural differences.
