Author Archives: Suryakenchana

The Common Ginger in Javanese Wedang and Jamu

I often noticed that ginger is included in much of the jamu recipes shared on the internet but it was not listed (by name) as part of the eight primary concoctions. Instead, ginger appears to be an add-on ingredient, except probably for jahe wangi or jahe rempah. An invitation to share about the tea cultureContinue reading “The Common Ginger in Javanese Wedang and Jamu”

Making Jamu Exciting Again!

It was the invitation to represent Singapore at the International Conference on Intangible Cultural Heritage at Kuala Lumpur that got me conceptualising much of my work on jamu as “Making jamu exciting again!“. This tagline that guides my work from July 2025 follows the one that I had for Elefpi Learnscapes up to 2025 –Continue reading “Making Jamu Exciting Again!”

WHY DO WE HAVE HARI RAYA LIGHT UP?

Each year, at the start of the fasting month, there is the Hari Raya light up. How did it start? It probably came from the tradition of lighting up our homes with flicker lights, that possibly came from traditions such as ‘’malam tujuh likur”, “malam selikuran” and “malam lampu colok”. In the Javanese tradition, malamContinue reading “WHY DO WE HAVE HARI RAYA LIGHT UP?”

Oral and Literary Traditions of Haptic Heritage – The Key to Continuity of Traditional Medicinal Practice

Oral traditions like jamu making rely on continuity of practice from one generation to another. In contrast, a literary tradition does not. The need to ensure continuity is often a priority for oral traditions and the search for the next generation of practitioners is critical to its survival. Jamu making is a form of hapticContinue reading “Oral and Literary Traditions of Haptic Heritage – The Key to Continuity of Traditional Medicinal Practice”

FROM SLAMETAN TO RAMADAN : THE REMAKING OF NASI AMBENG TRADITION

Few years later, memories of iftars in Ramadan will be filled with imaginations of enjoying nasi ambeng with friends and family. Over time, when this practice continues, having nasi ambeng for iftar becomes part of the Ramadan tradition in Singapore – a re-invention of tradition. Due to the resemblance of the side dishes and significanceContinue reading “FROM SLAMETAN TO RAMADAN : THE REMAKING OF NASI AMBENG TRADITION”

SEEKING MINDFULNESS IN COMMUNAL RITUAL COOKING

Nasi ambeng and nasi tumpeng are Javanese cuisines that comes with a platter of rice accompanied with a number of side dishes, usually served as part of commemorating an event or a communal ritual like the slametan. The side dishes tend to require preparation that takes much effort and usually challenging to be prepared byContinue reading “SEEKING MINDFULNESS IN COMMUNAL RITUAL COOKING”

NASI AMBENG AS CULINARY HERITAGE

In recent memory, there has been much interest on nasi ambeng and in response to requests for me to talk about it, I presented my thoughts with “From Ritual to Table – Nasi Ambeng as Culinary Heritage” on 29 May at the Malay Heritage Centre. Coincidentally, it was also the 5th Anniversary of the openingContinue reading “NASI AMBENG AS CULINARY HERITAGE”

MAKING SENSE OF THE RICE PLATTER TYPOLOGY

In making sense of nasi ambeng, tumpeng, etc, I have summarised the various accounts and variations into this schema. I know that for those who begin to explore more about nasi ambeng may get confused by the variations in terms and references. I hope this almost Venn Diagram helps to make sense of the knowledgeContinue reading “MAKING SENSE OF THE RICE PLATTER TYPOLOGY”

NASI AMBENG AS A MANIFESTATION OF COMMUNAL COOKING AND FEASTING

In a slametan or kenduri, the men are mostly involved in the main area where prayers are recited. Where are the womenfolk? Mostly, at the back, preparing the communal feast known as nasi ambeng. The preparation of the dishes take time and for those who are familiar with the process, it is done in aContinue reading “NASI AMBENG AS A MANIFESTATION OF COMMUNAL COOKING AND FEASTING”