Ngabungbang: A Tradition Preserved Throughout the Full Moon Night
Indigenous people of the Americas celebrate the full moon by naming each one throughout the year based on natural conditions and their activities. For instance, July is known as the Buck Moon, representing the time when deer antlers grow, while October is called the Hunt Moon, marking the period when indigenous tribes traditionally hunted bison, their staple food.
Similarly, the Sundanese people of West Java also hold a deep appreciation for the full moon, although they practice it only once a year.
The Sundanese Tradition of Ngabungbang
Ngabungbang is a tradition in which people stay awake throughout the night of the full moon on the 14th of Mulud (Rabi’ al-Awwal). The activities vary—some take long walks, some gather at Islamic boarding schools (pesantren), while others visit places considered sacred.
Meaning of the Word Ngabungbang
The meaning of Ngabungbang has multiple interpretations. First, some believe that Ngabungbang is a variation of “Ngabalungbang.” The prefix “Nga” is an affix, while “balungbang” describes an open, unrestricted atmosphere. Therefore, “Ngabalungbang” conveys a sense of spaciousness and freedom.
Second, another interpretation breaks the word into “Nga” and “Bungbang,” meaning a deliberate journey or wandering.
The third interpretation aligns more with Sundanese cultural traditions. According to Budi Rahayu Tamsyah in the Kamus Sunda-Sunda (1996), Ngabungbang means:
“Nyaring sapeupeuting di luareun wawangunan, biasana ditempat-tempat anu dianggap aya karamatan dina malem tanggal 14 Mulud.”
This translates to: “Staying up all night outside of buildings, usually in places considered sacred, on the night of the 14th of Mulud.”
This tradition takes place in Mulud (Rabi’ al-Awwal), the birth month of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Ngabungbang in Banjar Since 1915
Ngabungbang has existed in Banjar City since at least 1915 and has remained a highly anticipated tradition for the local community, although it has evolved over time.
A study titled Kebudayaan Ngabungbang dari Tahun 1915-2009 di Kota Banjar (“The Culture of Ngabungbang from 1915-2009 in Banjar City”) by Wulan Sondarika, published in Jurnal Artefak Vol. 2 No. 2, August 2014, describes the tradition’s development in Banjar.
According to Wulan, in its early days, Ngabungbang had no strict rules, but later on, Sundanese people incorporated certain ritual elements, believing that the full moon of Mulud carried extraordinary blessings.
“In ancient times, Ngabungbang was practiced from sareupna (around 5:00-6:00 PM) to sareureuh budak (7:00-8:00 PM). During these hours, children played traditional games in the yard while adults gathered on their house porches to discuss agriculture, trade, and other topics.”
After these conversations, late at night, after the children had gone to sleep, people would proceed to bathe in seven wells, culminating in a ritual cleansing at a sacred spring. The purpose was to purify themselves from all sins.
If the 14th night of Mulud coincided with a full moon on a Friday Kliwon (a sacred day in the Javanese-Sundanese calendar), Ngabungbang was performed on a grand scale.
Ijazah Karahayuan at Pesantren Cikalama
Pesantren Cikalama, located in Sindangpakuon Village, Cimanggung District, Sumedang Regency, is one of West Java’s oldest Islamic boarding schools that still upholds this tradition.
Although Ngabungbang is not institutionalized, Pesantren Cikalama has become a central location for this ritual due to its historical significance and the widespread presence of its alumni.
On the night of the 14th of Mulud, when the full moon is at its peak, people leave their homes, some making pilgrimages to sacred sites, moving from one place to another on foot. The final destination is Pesantren Cikalama.
Here, a sacred ritual called Ijazah Karahayuan (Blessing for Well-Being) is performed. Interestingly, the prayers recited in this ritual are only passed down orally—they cannot be written, recorded, or documented in any form.
Muhammad Rifqi Hadziqi, in his study Tradisi Ijazah pada Prosesi Ngabungbang di Pondok Pesantren Cikalama Sumedang dalam Perspektif Filsafat Kebudayaan (“The Tradition of Ijazah in the Ngabungbang Procession at Pesantren Cikalama Sumedang from the Perspective of Cultural Philosophy”), published in Jurnal Riset Agama, Volume 1, Issue 3, December 2021, explains the historical link between Ijazah Karahayuan and Limbangan:
“Historically, the Ngabungbang tradition originates from the Karahayuan Limbangan blessing, which is bestowed during the month of Maulud, now known as Ngabungbang. The practice of Ngabungbang is also seen as a commemoration of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The Ijazah Karahayuan (Blessing for Well-Being) is a sacred set of prayers that have been passed down through generations and cannot be documented in written or recorded form.”
A Living Tradition
Ngabungbang continues to be a vibrant part of Sundanese culture, blending elements of spiritual devotion, historical tradition, and social bonding. Despite modern changes, it remains an essential practice in various regions of West Java, particularly in Banjar and Sumedang. This age-old tradition serves as a means of connecting with heritage, seeking spiritual purity, and fostering community unity under the bright light of the full moon.
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