Page 86 - FREN-C2021 PROCEEDINGS

THE UNSPOKEN LANGUAGE OF RED PORRIDGE (BUBUR MERAH)
AMONG JAVANESE MALAY

2
1
Sarinah Sabar , Sharifah Zannierah Syed Marzuki

1 Department of International Business and Management Studies, Faculty of Business and Management
2 Department of Entrepreneurship and Marketing Studies, Faculty of Business and Management
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Selangor Branch, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam,
Selangor, Malaysia

* Corresponding author: sarinahs@uitm.edu.my

Abstract
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The history of migration of the Javanese to Malaysia started as early as the 15 century and they have
assimilated their arts, culture and food. One of the unique foods that they introduced is ‘bubur merah’
(red porridge). This speciality signifies unique meanings among the Javanese Malay where the two
colours of ‘bubur merah’ indicate more to parenthood when this dish is given to guests to celebrate
childbirth. Red is for the spirit of a mother and white is for the father. During a wedding, the ‘bubur
merah’ is also served to the newlyweds and guests which symbolizes different meanings where a
marriage beholds all types of challenges that include the good and the bad times. One should be
strong to face the test of life. That is the reason why there is a combination of red and white colour in
‘bubur merah’. The ‘Bubur merah’ is also prepared and served in the early month of Muharram to
symbolize a new beginning to a new episode of life. The red porridge is served during the month of
Safar to symbolize challenges, resilience, holiness and purity. It is inevitably important to sustain this
distinctive food as it denotes an identity that exists in the Javanese Malay ethnicity in several states in
the country as this group of society is known to be of high tolerance and creates social harmony to the
existing ethnicities. This unique unspoken language of ‘bubur merah’ amalgamates the spiritual and
physical elements of a human being and the community concerning the good deeds during life and to
be brought to the afterlife.

Keywords: bubur merah (red porridge), identity, Javanese Malay, food

Introduction
Red Porridge or Bubur Merah is a unique and typical food that originated from the land of Java,
Indonesia. This porridge had been prepared and served amongst Javanese in Indonesia ever since the
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pre-Islamic until the Islamic era in the 14 century (Heri, 2020). During the Islamic era, red porridge
became one of the common dishes in many occasions of Javanese, such as celebrating the Islamic
New Year. The Javanese society in Indonesia regards red porridge as offerings to convey their prayers
to God pledging for safety and security in life, smoothness in works and to prevent bad things to
happen to individuals as well as to their society (Khairunnisa, 2020). At one point in time, red porridge
was served alongside seven (7) other dishes for worshipping by a shaman before the show of ‘kuda
keeping (USM, 2009). The worshipped red porridge was then be given to the ‘kuda kepang’ dancers
which serve as a power booster during the show.

In line with time in which the awareness and knowledge of Islam were expanding for the better, the
Javanese no longer considered porridge as an offering to God, instead, the emphasis is more on the use
of red and white colours in its preparation (Nurhalimah, Praptantya & Hasanah, 2020). The meaning
given in interpreting the colours of the food sounds more Islamic which is easier to understand and to
relate to because they are more relevant to the Javanese society who are mostly Muslims.

Looking from the perspective of Malaysia, the Javanese society can be seen in some parts in Selangor
and Johor (Hanapi, 2017). This porridge is served during special or religious occasions like wedding

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