Indonesia is one of the countries in the world that has a lot of cultural diversity. Stretching with 5 large islands, Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Papua and thousands of small islands make Indonesia the birthplace of tens or even hundreds of other languages, cultures, and uniqueness.
This diversity is what makes tourists around the world with the go-to come to Indonesia to see firsthand the cultural diversity that exists.
Among many cities in Indonesia, Indramayu is one of the cities that has a variety of cultures that can not be missed if we visit there.
A Glimpse of Indramayu
Actually I personally am a native of indramayu people, so through this article I want to try to share what I already know about Indramayu as well as through other sources. In hopes of sharing your story with those of you especially those who have never been to Indramayu or just heard the name of this city.
Indramayu is one of the cities located in the provision of northern West Java. Indramayu can also be referred to as the city of Mango, quite unique indeed. Indramayu is nicknamed the city of mangoes because almost all houses there have mango trees in their yard, besides that Indramayu mango is also famously sweet and has many types of mangoes, one of which is mango cengkir.
Indramayu is also bestowed with various languages, tribes and culinary and outstanding natural products. Call it like Pedesan Entog, Nagasari, Mango Chips, Rumbah, Burbacek (bubur rumbah cecek), Nasi lengko, Poci and many more that become mainstays of Indramayu culinary tourism.
However, in this article I do not discuss more about Indramayu culinary, but will discuss more about its culture and arts.
Indramayu is now boosting and preserving the form of preserving ancestral heritage as a cultural wealth in Indonesia. What are some interesting Indramayu cultures to discuss?
Indramayu Cultural Diversity
When talking about Indonesian culture must be endless, because so many of our ancestors heritage makes and maintains it. Therefore, we as a younger generation should be appropriate to continue the cultural traditions that have existed in the past.
Indramayu as a city of culture has many cultural traditions, which is one of the destinations that we must visit in traveling. Here I will describe some of the cultures and arts owned by Indramayu.Â
Mapag Sri -- Show of leather puppet art
Mapag Sri is a ceremony that is carried out with the aim to express gratitude to the creator for the arrival of the harvest period, by performing the puppet art performance a day overnight with a special play and usually held in the village hall.
Technically, Mapag Sri is not done every year even though the harvest period is carried out. This happens due to safety factors, and bad crop yields so that this ceremony cannot be carried out.
When looking at the sequences of ceremonies in agricultural circles, the ceremony was originally actually The Alms of the Earth, then attended by the Baritan ceremony, and then the last ceremony mapag Sri. The committee for the Mapag Sri ceremony is usually formed at the time of the dissolution of the Baritan ceremony committee. It could also be that the committee of The Baritan Ceremony was reaffirmed to be the committee of the Mapag Sri ceremony.
What is a baritan ceremony?
Baritan ceremony is a ceremony that is held to reject the plague. The word baritan probably comes from the Sundanese language which means "time before magrib". The ceremony is to contain prayers together with participating in bringing rice food in the form of cones.
Nadran -- The tradition of fishermen for gratitude for fishing
Nadran is a reflection of a human relationship with the creator by expressing the sukur taste of fish catches and expecting to increase yields in the future and be kept away from disasters and dangers in making a living at sea. Generally nadran is held between October to December in the areas of Eretan Beach, Dadap, Karangsong, Limbangan, Glayem, Bugel and Ujung Gebang.
Nadran is actually a tradition of acculturation of Islamic and Hindu cultures that is passed down through generations. The word nadran itself, according to some people, comes from the word votive which has meaning in Islam: fulfilling promises.
The essence of nadran ceremony is to offer offering offerings (which are rituals in Hinduism to honor the spirits of their ancestors) to the ruler of the sea to be given the overflow of sea products, as well as a ritual of rejecting reinforcement (salvation).
Ngarot -- Traditional ceremonies so that agricultural produce is abundant
Ngarot has been around since the 16th century and until now is still held, especially by the villagers in Lelea District every time before the cultivation of rice fields. The ceremony is held in order to get abundant agricultural products and this traditional ceremony is held every Wednesday, the fourth week of November where the participants are girls with distinctive costumes and floral accessories mounted on the head.
Based on the history book of Lelea Village, Ngarot Tradition intends to gather young people who will be given the task of farming. The point is that the young people will cooperate with each other and gotong royong processing rice fields. Ngarot tradition aims to build healthy association, in order to get to know each other, adjust each other's attitudes, wills, behaviors, which are in accordance with cultural customs.
Ngunjung -- Pilgrimage of sacred tombs
That is, the thanksgiving ceremony held in cemeteries that are considered sacred is usually carried out in the month of syuro and mulud. Ngunjung / Munjung comes from the word kunjung which means visiting the tomb of the ancestors as one of the forms of community gratitude that is accompanied to pray together.
Ngunjung also presents a number of arts such as street puppet skin or puppet people.
Sedekah Bumi -- The farmer's gratitude to God
Sedekah bumi is a ceremony carried out by farmers when going down to work on their rice fields. Usually done at the beginning of the rainy season which is around October to December. This ceremonial procession usually starts from the gathering of the community in a place where prayers are carried out together and after that traditional ceremony is carried out.
If you are traveling to visit Indramayu, in addition to natural tourism you can also see the culture of the culture above, but the culture at a certain time only, record the time and you can watch and learn about the culture of indramayu people, because differences and mutual respect are beautiful.
Cultural greetings and healthy greetings all ...
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