The Meaning of Longing for the Tradition of “Ngirup Cuko Pempek” Palembang as Friendship Communication in the Covid–19 Pandemic Era

Abstract

This research aimed to construct the meaning of longing for the tradition of ngirup cuko pempek as a friendship communication for the people of Palembang in the Covid-19 pandemic era. This longing communication research is qualitative one. The object of research, namely the behaviour of longing for tradition ngirup cuko pempek. The research subjects are Palembang residents who often travel out of town. The research data used participated observation, interview and documents analysis obtained from informants. The data analysis technique used an interactive model of Miles and Huberman. The results of the research showed, 1) Ngirup cuko is the local wisdom and eating culture of Palembang citizens; 2) The meaning on the longing philosophy on ngirup cuko pempek shows love for the traditions identity of the region, kinship and togetherness, the friendship, as well as typically Palembang culinary promotion.

Pempek: Traditional fishcake dish from South Sumatra, Indonesia

“…A local saying in South Sumatran traditional language describes Pempek as follows : Pempek ; when it is served in a clear soup, it becomes tekwan ; when it is served in a yellow coconut milk soup, it becomes celimpungan ; when it is served in a red coconut milk soup, it becomes laksan ; when it is wrapped in beaten eggs and grilled, it becomes lenggang ; when it is served in kuah cuko with noodles and fried tofu, it becomes rujak mi ; therefore, the value that we can learn from Pempek is that wherever we live, we need to adapt with the environment and be useful to other people (55). Moreover, a local expression "ngirup cuko Pempek" (literally translated to sipping the cuko of Pempek) reflects the love and pride of South Sumatrans towards Pempek (56). Such an expression is popular among South Sumatrans working and living in other cities or islands who often say "kangen ngirup cuko Pempek" or longing to sip the cuko of Pempek to describe their genuine feelings of missing their home town and eat delicious and authentic Pempek amidst their families and friends.…”

“…Such an expression is popular among South Sumatrans working and living in other cities or islands who often say "kangen ngirup cuko Pempek" or longing to sip the cuko of Pempek to describe their genuine feelings of missing their home town and eat delicious and authentic Pempek amidst their families and friends. Therefore, for South Sumatrans, Pempek is also a symbol of togetherness and kinship (56).…”

Characteristics of ready to cook product from dried pempek with freezing treatment before drying

“…Ready to cook pempek usually available in the form of boiled pempek. Although boiled pempek is ready to be directly eat, pempek usually fried or grilled before consumed [2]. Boiled pempek has relatively high moisture content 60-67% [3].…”