SEAToday.com, Jakarta-The same problem strings along every Eid al-Fitr, which is the housemaid leaving for homecoming. It becomes a problem, especially if the household's mother is a working mom. The thought of having to deal with household matters and working at the office is quite tiring.

In the past few years, the solution to this problem has emerged, which is substitute housemaids. However, they cost more than regular housemaids because they work during the holiday.

So, what started the trend of substitute housemaids?

Homecoming Tradition

Homecoming is closely related to the emergence of modern cities in Indonesia and the urbanization project in the 19th century. Many villagers tried their luck in the city, and they're the ones who carry out homecoming.

"Menuju udik" which means coming home is carried out when villagers who make a living in the city return home to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. Although this tradition has existed for quite some time, the term "mudik" or homecoming only got popular in the 1970s, during the New Order era, because of the massive development.

One of the popular jobs villagers do in the city is being a housemaid. They also come home during Eid. It's a long-awaited moment since they can meet their families in their hometowns.

As Moslem scholar Komaruddin Hidayat once said, homecoming belongs to all. Everyone should be able to enjoy the romanticism of coming home.

Komaruddin thought of humans as "homo festivus", beings that are fond of celebrations. So, all kinds of ways are used so as not to miss the homecoming tradition.

"Celebrating Eid al-Fitr together can be considered as a festival. In every festival, there's a certain pattern. That pattern is carried out massively time and time again during certain moments, and in the spirit of happiness," said Komaruddin Hidayat in his book "Indahnya Mudik Lebaran" (2015).

Substitute Housemaids Become Solution

Housemaids that return to their hometown during Eid incites a new social phenomenon, especially for families that can't carry out the homecoming tradition because of that very reason. However, this created a new business opportunity, which is called the substitute housemaid service.

Substitute housemaids are tasked with what regular housemaids usually do, and they are highly sought after in the days leading up to holidays like Eid al-Fitr.

State University of Makassar Anthropologist Dimas Ario Sumilih explained how substitute housemaids became a prima donna near Eid al-Fitr. The type of sought substitute housemaid also varies, from the type that cleans up the house, babysits, to the one that takes care of the elderly. Each are adjusted to the needs of the household.

"During Eid al-Fitr, the activities in the household increase significantly, including cooking, cleaning, and welcoming guests. This encourages families to look for substitute housemaids that can help them during the busy period," Dimas said to SEAToday, 4/5/2024.

He explained that the phenomenon is tied to the social and economic backgrounds. Those who become substitute housemaids look for extra cash to fulfill their needs. They are willing to work while other housemaids get to get a time off.

Dimas argued that substitute housemaid is categorized as a job in the modern era, as it was not found during the colonial era or the early days of the Indonesian independence. Substitute housemaid is only present when the middle class of Indonesian society started to thrive.

"I don't think there was. The concept of substitute housemaid, especially the one we know now, is categorized as a modern job and can't be compared to any jobs back in the day," Dimas added.

The substitute housemaid service has been provided by housemaid distribution institutions. The fee varies, starting from Rp150,000 per day, and people usually have to book one in advance. There are also people who look for substitute housemaids through their friends and families' acquaintances. It all comes back to what they need.