Faith, Food, and Family: April Celebrations in the Indo Idaho Community
Faith, Food, and Family: April Celebrations in the Indo Idaho Community
As April begins, the Indonesian community in Idaho finds itself in a unique cultural moment of celebration, remembrance, and togetherness. This year, two meaningful traditions coincide: Lebaran (Eid al-Fitr) on 31st March - 7th April and Cheng Beng (Tomb-Sweeping Day) on 4th April. While these two traditions come from different roots — one Islamic, one Chinese — they both carry a powerful message of honoring family, fostering connection, and returning to what matters most.
Here in Boise, the Indo Idaho community celebrates Lebaran with warmth and joy. Families and friends gather together, bringing homemade dishes that fill the room with the comforting aroma of Indonesian spices — from opor ayam and rendang to ketupat and sambal goreng. Laughter echoes through the hall as people greet each other with "Selamat Idul Fitri, mohon maaf lahir dan batin." It’s a time to forgive, reconnect, and celebrate the end of Ramadan with gratitude and joy.
At the same time, many Chinese-Indonesian families reflect on Cheng Beng, a tradition that dates back thousands of years. In Indonesia, it is customary for families to visit their ancestors' graves during this season — cleaning the tombstones, offering food, and burning incense in acts of deep respect. Though we may be far from our ancestors’ resting places, the spirit of Cheng Beng lives on in quiet remembrance and prayers across the diaspora in Idaho.
Picture: Kak Susan's family documentation in Medan, Indonesia
It’s touching to see how in Indonesia, both Eid and Cheng Beng often occur in the same week, and communities celebrate side by side. Muslim friends greet each other with festive clothes and warm meals, while Chinese-Indonesian families make their annual pilgrimage to ancestral graves. There's a mutual understanding — a shared respect for each other’s traditions, even if they differ in form.
In Indo Idaho, we carry that same spirit. We are a small but vibrant community made up of diverse stories of students, professionals, families, and long-time residents. This April, our celebrations remind us that no matter where we are, our roots and our values travel with us. Whether it’s through a bowl of homemade lontong sayur or a silent moment of prayer for those who came before us, we honor the past while embracing the present.
To everyone in our community, Selamat Hari Raya Idul Fitri and Qingming Jie Kuai Le. May this season bring peace to your heart, warmth to your home, and pride in your heritage.