A very happy exodus indeed

Bumper-to-bumper: An aerial view showing cars queueing to board a ship for Sumatra island ahead of the Aidilfitri celebration at Merak port in Cilegon, Banten. — Reuters

The return of the Aidilfitri tradition of mudik (exodus) has caused a great deal of buzz and excitement for millions of Muslims in Indonesia despite severe traffic congestion starting to occur on major thoroughfares across the country, which is expected to mar the journeys home.

It is the first time in two years that people have been allowed to head home overland to reunite with relatives and celebrate the Islamic holiday as the government had previously banned the tradition in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the country.