Keresan Tradition from East Java,Indonesia

Soon, the Islamic community will commemorate the Birth Day of Prophet Muhammad SAW, 12th Rabi-Beginning of the Muslim calendar, the name of the Mawlid of the Prophet. In Islam, Prophet Muhammad was the bearer of the religious teachings of Islam and is believed as a messenger or messengers of God. This year, Mawlid Prophet fell on 26 February 2010. For Muslims in general, Mawlid of the Prophet is highly significant. 

Therefore, various events, such as prayer, religious speech, nor a grand theory is often held to celebrate the coming of the day. As with the habits of people in the village Mengelo, Mojokerto, East Java. Just when Day Mawlid of the Prophet arrived, they not only held a prayer ceremony, but were hereditary, they hold a tradition, which is named, tradition Keresan. 

         

According to the local community, this tradition has been carried out since the first. In fact, some say, from the days before Indonesia Meredeka in the year 1945, this tradition has existed. 

         

As usual, when the day arrived tradition, villagers began to gather at the event. Darussalam Mosque yard in the village Mengelo, often a place of execution Keresan tradition. Though this tradition is always held annually and enthusiastic citizens never changed. Since early morning, the residents began to gather at the Masjid Darussalam. In fact, a new series of the show held during the day. When this tradition is carried out, where the implementation of the tradition, there are always some tall trees and relatively large size and also has twigs and branches. Local people call it Keresan tree. Pinang Climbing like a traditional race, in every branch of a tree Keres tied to some kind of gift, such as clothing, shoes, hat, and scarf. 

While at the bottom of the tree and arranged various kinds of fruit crops, like pineapples, bengkoang and eggplant. Later, various prizes will be contested that the villagers. But before starting the tradition of gift-making, prayer together is always a welcome event. They hope, that God, Almighty God continues to provide abundant good fortune and blessings to the villagers. 

Having finished the prayer was read, then the residents are welcome to climb trees and take keresan gift they want. As the implementation of competition climbing nut in general, Mengelo villagers also often fought each other to obtain the same gift when Keresan tradition. 

It is said to them, not the gift is expected. Blessing is the gift that's what they expect. Because they believe in, who's managed to bring a gift from Keresan traditions, blessings will they earn.