Indonesians celebrate Ramadan and Eid on Animal Crossing
The beloved “quarantine game” for Nintendo Switch gamers, Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH), is a gift that keeps on giving. Not only has it delighted fans with its wholesome features, visuals, and soothing soundtrack, it has also shown how much room it has for creativity.
Sharing design codes is one of the fun bits of the game, and Indonesian ACNHers have made some cool designs with a local touch. While playing the game alone is already a joyful experience, what makes the Animal Crossing series so popular is that it allows you to share the joy of the game with your loved ones via online play.
It’s no surprise that Indonesian ACNHers have brought Ramadan and Eid celebrations to their in-game islands during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though it’s not the same as meeting in person, you can still “see” your friends and family without risking each other’s health.
ACNH’s online gaming feature brings people together
ACNH has become so popular even to non-players since its Nintendo Switch release that you might have probably come across memes or screencaps on social media. But to quickly summarize what the game is about, players get their own island which they can share with up to 10 cute animal characters.
The only real “task” is to decorate your island, – you can do this by growing flowers, or even trying your hand in the “stalk market” by buying and selling turnips. You can also catch seasonal fish and bugs. And of course, you can invite or visit other players.
So to soothe the loneliness of Ramadan and Eid spent in quarantine for players who practice and celebrate these traditions, ACNH has become an ideal gathering place.
Image credit: @piipiipau
Twitter user @piipiipau made a prayer room on her island – complete with praying mats and a podium – where she and her guests pretended to do the tarawih evening prayer together.
Image credit: @piipiipau
The night before Eid, or what Indonesians typically refer to as Malam Takbiran, @piipiipau posted a video of her along with two guests running through the island while banging on tambourines.
Sharing the spirit of Eid festivities
It’s hard to spend a celebration that’s usually spent with family and friends during quarantine, but the wholesome greeting card-style screenshots taken by players may warm your heart.
Image credit: @andrahaha
Avid ACNHer @andrahaha shared an adorable Eid greeting featuring his and his siblings’ avatars on Twitter with the caption “Eid Mubarak from the Semesta family.”
Image credit: @alkupra
Another Twitter user, @alkupra, also posted an Eid e-greeting card that shows his avatar accompanied by his fellow islanders.
Image credit: @alvxb
Meanwhile, Instagram user @alvxb shared a screenshot of his ACNH-self enjoying an Eid feast with a number of his friends.
Image credit: @alvxb
Even in the game, the gang of friends doesn’t forget to practice social distancing while lining up for wudhu, or ritual cleansing.
Image credit: @msofyan
Getting a fresh outfit for Eid is part of the Indonesian Muslim tradition, but with nowhere to go this year, designing a new sarung on ACNH is probably as close as you can get. Twitter user @msofyan shared the design code for a Wadimor sarung so that other players celebrating on their virtual islands can use it too.
Ramadan and Eid on Animal Crossing during quarantine
Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and online video games, have made quarantine a bit easier to bear. While it can’t fully substitute meeting your family and friends, it can still bring joy, and most importantly, it can keep you and your loved ones safe.
Also read:
- Indonesian Animal Crossing gamers add a unique local touch
- “Surgical mask” tote bag went viral on social media
- 3 Jakarta-based independent musicians share tips
Cover image adapted from: @alvxb, @piipiipau, @msofyan, and @alkupra
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