The megengan tradition comes from the word megeng which means to hold back. This tradition is an expression of gratitude and joy to welcome the holy month of Ramadan. This tradition is also a reminder to refrain from misleading lusts. 

Megengan was originally a local culture of the Javanese people who offered offerings to their ancestors. In ancient times, Javanese people held a tradition of offerings in the month of Ruwah (Javanese calendar, or the month of Sha’ban in the Hijri calendar). This tradition aims to honor the spirits of ancestors who have preceded them. Kanjeng Sunan Kalijaga then turned this tradition into a food alms to be distributed to relatives and neighbors. 

In the megengan tradition, there is one type of cake that should not be missed. This cake is called apem. Apem cake made from rice flour and coconut milk. In its development, mothers add fermipan yeast to make this cake dough fluffier. The apem cake dough is then baked on a round metal mold. There are also those that are fried in a small frying pan without oil or simply steamed until cooked. The standard model of apem cake is round or contained in a cone made of banana leaves. The name apem is adapted from the Arabic afwan, which means sorry or forgiveness. Apem cake is symbolized as a request for forgiveness to the Almighty, as well as an apology to others for the mistakes that have been made so far. With the hope that in carrying out fasting, the heart and mind will feel free because Allah has forgiven them.