Ngejot, Bali's Catholic Unique Tradition for Christmas

TheIndonesia.co - There is an interesting tradition carried out by Catholics in Denpasar, Bali, ahead of Christmas. They cook and distribute food to their Hindu neighbors. The tradition called Ngejot has been passed down from generation to generation since decades ago.

A Catholic named Ni Wayan Jumiati, from Sanur Kaja Village, Denpasar, Bali, practices this tradition. The day before Christmas, Friday, December 24, 2021, she distributed food to her Hindu neighbors.

She has carried out this activity since the 70s. On the other hand, during Galungan, a Hindu holiday, she also received food from her Hindu neighbors. "Since we've been here for more than 35 years, we've been doing this every Christmas," said Juniati when Suara.com met her.

The food distributed to neighbors is in the form of rice, Balinese vegetables, betutu chicken (a local chicken cook), and snacks. The food is placed in a container and delivered to the neighbors.

Ngejot, she said, is interpreted as an expression of gratitude to God. He wanted to share the warmth and joy of Christmas with his closest neighbors. It also maintains good relations between neighbors as an attitude of tolerance.

"We are grateful that since living here we have very good relations with our neighbors. So every December 24, we share our fortune with our neighbors," he said.

Hindus who received food from their neighbors, I Nengah Mucita, said they were happy to receive it. She said this tradition is a form of tolerance between religious communities in Bali.

"We wish you a Merry Christmas to our Christian brothers and sisters. Hopefully, with the long-standing habit (of Ngejot) we can maintain tolerance among all of us," she said.