Takjil is a light breaksfast food or drink in Indonesia. While Takjil encompasses anything eaten for breakfast, it is generally understood within the context of Ramadan, because the term only appears during Ramadan. In some parts of the country, Takjil were distributed by government bodies[1][2]
Takjil food are sweets such as kolak pisang, fruit soup, es campur, and others.
Etymology
editThe first mention of takjil appears in Snouck Hurgronje's account of his visit to Aceh in 1891–1892, "De Atjehers." The account explains that the Acehnese had prepared a fast-breaking meal (takjil) in the mosque for the community, consisting of ie bu peudah, or spicy porridge.[3]
Inside Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia, takjil means haste in breaking the fast.[4] It originated from the Arabic term 'ajila, which means hasten before it absorbed its meaning of haste in breaking the fast.[5] In Minang, takjil is also known as pabukoan. The tradition of delivering takjil from a daughter-in-law to her father-in-law is called maanta pabukoan.[6]
In certain contexts, takjil can have the same meaning as iftar. Although both originate from Arabic, iftar literally means "breaking the fast" or the moment of breaking the fast, without necessarily meaning hastening. Therefore, iftar encompasses the entire process of breaking the fast, including the main meal (heavy meal) after takjil, even after the Maghrib prayer. Thus, takjil is part of the iftar sequence.
Takjil War
editTakjil War is the act of rushing to buy sweets for breaking iftar.[7] Patrons fight over fast-breaking snacks.
The markets open from 3 PM till iftar time with hundreds of small scale vendors selling snacks and street foods, such as fried foods, dim sum, milk satay, and cold drinks.[8] During this interval, seasonal snacks and drinks are available for purchase.[9]
Takjil buyers aren't limited to Muslims or Indonesian citizens. Foreign tourists compete for the foods and sweets consumer. In many places, non-Muslims and foreigners enjoy this tradition.[10][11]
See also
editReferences
edit- ↑ Abbas Musa, Muhammad Faldi (3 March 2026). "BAGIKAN 645 PAKET TAKJIL, KANKEMENAG SBB: INI BAGIAN DARI TERAS ZAWA RAMADHAN". Maluku.kemenag.go.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ↑ Efendi, Yudhi (4 March 2026). "Satgas Yonif 511 perkuat komunikasi sosial melalui pembagian takjil bagi warga Karubaga". Antara Papua (in Indonesian). Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ↑ "Serba-serbi Takjil: Sejarah, Makna dan Dalil". Friksi.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ↑ "Takjil". kbbi.web.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ↑ Atiba Arby, Ivany (13 April 2021). "Takjil Bukan Berarti Makanan, Ini Arti Sesungguhnya". Kompas (in Indonesian). Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ↑ firdausmarbun (29 May 2019). "Maanta Pabukoan: Tradisi yang Makin Ditinggalkan". Balai Pelestarian Nilai Budaya Sumatera Barat (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
- ↑ "Fenomena 'war takjil' kembali lagi". Berita Harian (in Malay). 6 March 2025. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ↑ Lidya, Nareswari (3 March 2025). "Takjil for All: How Non-Muslims and Foreigners Celebrate Ramadan in Indonesia". Bali Expat. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ↑ "The Uniqueness of the War Takjil Phenomenon, Dr Tjahja Muhandri: Rare foods appear only during Ramadan, consumers compete for nostalgia". IPB University. 27 February 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ↑ "Berburu Takjil Bukan Lagi Monopoli Umat Islam, Umat Non Muslim Ikut Meramaikan Tradisi Menjelang Buka Puasa". Kantor Wilayah Kementerian Agama Provinsi Jawa Timur (in Indonesian). 23 March 2025. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ↑ Hidayat, Faqih; Aulia Ramadhanty, Dinda (7 March 2025). "Umat Nonmuslim Ikut "War" Takjil Viral: Daripada Mati Penasaran". Kompas.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 28 January 2026.