Various traditions are carried out by the community to welcome the holy month of Ramadan in West Sumatra. One of them is the 'Malamang' tradition. This tradition is held by the people of RW 5, Padang Besi Village, Lubuk Kilangan District, Padang City, West Sumatra Province, Indonesia.

Lamang is a traditional Minangkabau food. Namely food made of glutinous rice wrapped in banana leaves. The first thing the female participants did was put banana leaves into the bamboo gutters that had been perforated. Besides that, there are also mothers who soak the sticky rice in water. Then prepare coconut milk mixed with salt to taste.

After stirring with coconut milk in a container, the dough that has been put into the bamboo. Kemdian lined over fire that is not too big for 4 hours. Once cooked, the bamboo is split with a knife. Then the contents of the sticky rice that has been covered in banana leaves are removed. After that, all that remains is to make small pieces to be transferred to the plate. Minang typical lamang is ready to eat.

This Malamang activity is routinely carried out on major holidays including to welcome Ramadhan. Apart from carrying out the tradition, the Malamang activity is also a gathering place to forgive each other among residents, ahead of the month of Ramadan.

Sot : Zulfi Azwar - Head of Community Unit 5 of Padang Besi Village