TIMESINDONESIA, JAKARTA – Nginang, or betel chewing, is a traditional Southeast Asian practice involving the chewing of betel leaf, areca nut, and lime paste. While most prominent in Indonesia and Malaysia, similar customs exist across India, the Pacific Islands, and Taiwan.
Though often seen as a mere habit today, nginang is deeply embedded in cultural rituals, social interactions, and generational identity.
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Historically, nginang played a crucial role in Javanese and Malay communities. It signified respect, hospitality, and was part of ceremonial traditions such as weddings and ancestor offerings.
A betel set or commonly caled as piranti nginang was often an heirloom passed through generations, signifying the social status of its owner. Elders, particularly women, would prepare and chew the mixture daily, often teaching the ritual to their daughters.
Ingredients and Preparation
The typical nginang ingredients include betel leaf (daun sirih), sliced areca nut (buah pinang), and slaked lime (kapur sirih). Tobacco and spices may also be added. When chewed, the combination releases a red juice and a mild stimulant effect, often associated with relaxation and alertness.
Health Beliefs and Modern Concerns
Beyond its social role, nginang has been tied to traditional health beliefs. It was thought to improve digestion, freshen breath, and strengthen gums. However, modern research links prolonged betel use to oral cancer and other serious conditions.
“While this habit can have positive aspects, it may also cause tooth damage when practiced with a certain frequency and intensity and using specific compositionsby Sayf Muhammad Alaydrus and colleagues said at E-Journal of Airlangga University.
Global Connections
Globally, similar practices persist. In India, paan is widely consumed and deeply integrated into social and religious life. The Pacific Islands have their own versions, where areca nut is used in rites of passage. Taiwan, meanwhile, has commercialized betel nut chewing, selling it in kiosks and shops.
Today, nginang faces decline. Urbanization, health campaigns, and modern lifestyles have made the practice less common among youth. Yet, cultural preservationists and museums have begun reintroducing nginang as part of intangible heritage education.
Though modest in appearance, nginang represents more than just a chew it is a vessel of history, culture, and identity. Preserving such traditions, with mindful adaptation to health knowledge, allows us to maintain a link to our ancestral past while protecting future generations.
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| Editor | : Khodijah Siti |
| Publisher | : Sholihin Nur |
