Selametan

Selametans are part of the Indonesian way of life .. a set menu shared for celebration, commiseration, recognition, appeasement and nourishment. It is communal, bonding, spiritual, purifying and gala. Weddings have the ritual selametan where greeting the newly weds is every bit as important as enjoying the food. Making the first intention to build a house, or to welcome a baby, start a new career auspiciously or celebrate the end of the fasting month, a selametan brings a crowd together to mark the event or intention. Dominated by the yellow rice mountain, a pyramid of rice steamed with spices to the exact consistency to stand up on its own, the table or mat is a festive splash of colour. Centred on a bamboo platter, covered by a freshly cut and woven banana leaf, the rice mountain has an unvaried array of delicacies at its feet - fried chicken niblets, potato cakes or perkadel, fried tempeh with peanuts, and fresh coconut shredded with cassava leaves and green beans. Sometimes a chicken stew or opor ayam, accompanies it, but there is always a fiery fresh chilli paste or sambal and a barrel of plain steamed rice. After prayers the eldest and most distinguished guest is invited to cut or receive the top of the mountain. Once safely seated, the other guests begin to load their plates. Its also a free meal!