Philosophical and Sociological Values of Sambal Tempoyak in the Eating Traditions of the Lampung Tribe
Author: Jacob Ereste
Freelance Journalist
I was very happy when I read the story of Mohammad Madani, titled Dalom Putrkha Jaya Makhga, about the typical tempoyak sambal that is a complement to the big meal of the Lampung family, although in fact it is also widely loved by the Sulu people of South Sumatra in various places, although the name hadi is different.
It’s just that the story about the unique and distinctive taste of tempoyak sambal — because it is made from fermented durian fruit — would be great if it could be described not only as a side dish for the meal, but also as sacred for the Lampung community in general. Moreover, the meal is often expanded by inviting relatives who live around the place of residence. Of course, it would be more lively and spectacular if the meal together also invited members of the larger family. For example, because there are family members who are in other places or cities who come to visit to relieve their longing or just share happiness with other families in the village or in the city or other places.
So the sacred value of the communal meal that is often carried out by the Lampung people is not just a kind of culinary taste, so that the sacred and spiritual values that are very prominent and interesting from the tempoyak chili sauce are not only limited to the communal meal, but there are philosophical and sociological values that are like expressions in togetherness, or before the communal meal begins or after it ends, usually various stories and stories about other families who have been successful or because they are rarely able to gather together in a communal meal that has sociological meaning without ever being educated from the existing college.
So the value of harmony and togetherness in sharing happiness is often carried out by Lampung ethnic families who do not need to refer to the concept of unity and oneness to simultaneously maintain harmony and harmony in one tribe or family. However, this culture that has been practiced from generation to generation has a philosophical value in this oral tradition that has never been written down, upheld and maintained together, especially for those who are involved in organizing it.
This means that the philosophical and sociological value of tempoyak chili sauce in the family meal event of the Lampung ethnic group can be analyzed not only from the deliciousness of the shared meal menu which seems to be accompanied by fish curry, but furthermore how the initial knowledge and knowledge about the percentage of durian fruit can be done and become a complementary menu in a shared meal event, or even become part of a traditional meal event — begawi e — or a big event related to a wedding ceremony, birth, circumcision or other types of traditional ceremonies.
The philosophical explanation behind tempoyak chili sauce in the eating tradition of the Lampung community written by Mohammad Madani in the Hati Pena media, June 15, 2025 is truly interesting, especially since the language used is good and delicious. It’s just a shame that it’s not explored more fully, starting from the meaning of the shared meal itself to the various shared meal events themselves that have become a hereditary culture in the customs of the Lampung ethnic group. That is why the “cuak mengan” tradition is truly unique and interesting when studied philosophically and sociologically so that it can still survive until now.
At least, in a family meal event in the tradition and culture of the Lampung ethnic group, it must have sacred values. Spiritual to philosophical and sociological that are appropriate and worthy of being maintained and preserved forever. Because the values of togetherness, harmony and closeness in the family, tribe or clan and one clan unity are appropriate and worthy to be maintained and maintained together. Because the shared meal event with the symbol of tempoyak chili sauce starting from a small family circle is part of a way to maintain a sense of togetherness, compactness and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood that may have been strained. Whereas in everything that is broader – an extended family, one clan or even a shared meal event in one village – which is still often done – can be a means of building harmony in togetherness. Therefore, the event of eating together in the class in the form of a celebration, thanksgiving and the like is also carried out by urban residents. At least that way, a little longing for the hometown can be captured and its nuances can be absorbed.*
Banten, June 15, 2025
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