Roti buaya

Bread and pastry-making was introduced by European that settled in Batavia (Jakarta), the Portuguese and Dutch. Before the arrival of the Europeans who introduced bread, the crocodile shaped dish was made from yam or cassava.[3]

The Betawi believe that crocodiles mate with only one partner; therefore, the bread is believed to represent the fidelity of married couples.[1][2] During the wedding, the bread on the bride's side is noticed by the guests and the condition of the bread is considered to represent the groom's character.[4] Crocodiles have traditionally been considered to be very patient.[4] Besides fidelity, the bread also represents economic establishment.[5] However, in modern culture the symbolism of the crocodile has changed. A crocodile can refer to bad things, such as in buaya judi (someone who likes to gamble), buaya minum (someone who likes to drink alcoholic beverages) and buaya darat (an unfaithful person).[1][4]

The bread also portrayed patience because crocodiles were patience waiting for their prey. Another version stated that the bread depicted masculinity.[6]

• Mulyawati, Wahyuni; Harahap, Ilse (2007). Hidangan Betawi (in Indonesian). Gramedia Pustaka Utama. ISBN 9789792225105.
• Shahab, Alwi (2004). Junaidi, Irfan (ed.). Saudagar Baghdad dari Betawi (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Penerbit Republika. ISBN 9789793210308.