Page 37 - JaKita 07th Edition 2021
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CULINARY 37
putu mayang is classified as a legendary Betawi
snack. It is always well-known and most-wanted by
people. You can find the snack in traditional markets
as well as supermarkets. Many would also sell the The Trace of
snack into kampungs (villages). In Ramadan month,
you can find more sellers serving this popular cake. Putu Mayang
According to Mpok Siti, the Betawinese would
usually serve putu mayang along with a cup of n older times, suburbs of Batavia had
tea or coffee. It is often served during family snack plenty of agricultural lands and rice fields.
time or if someone’s coming over to the house. Putu IThe residents, beside using rice as their
mayang is also being served as fast-breaking meal. staple food, also made them into various kind
In fact, it is always served for every event held by the of snacks. One of them is putu mayang.
Betawinese, such as Quran recitation, arisan (social
gathering) events, or after community service work. According to a Betawi folklore, the name
“It will increase intimacy,” said Mpok Siti. putu mayang was originally derived from the
yen name of a pretty, long-haired woman who was
popular among people of Dutch East Indies,
Mayangsari.
Another story said the snack was first influenced
by a snack from South India, the putu mayam.
They both have similar shape, but Betawi putu
mayang has thicker braid shape compared to
putu mayam, which has thinner braids just like
bihun (white, thin noodles).
Unfortunately, until today, there has been
nothing to prove the real connection between
those two snacks, since Batavia has plenty of
cultural exchanges since decades ago. No one
can ensure whether it was the Indians who
influenced the putu mayang or vice versa.
According to head of Jakarta Culture Agency,
Iwan Henry Wardhana, putu mayang hasn’t
been listed as national intangible cultural
heritage (WBTB). However, he had planned on
proposing them as one of WBTB and discuss
it with the community, including the Betawi
cultural foundation.
yen
7th EDITION 2021
Sarana Informasi Pemerintah Provinsi DKI Jakarta
