Hundreds of residents recently flocked to Banceuy kampong, Subang regency, West Java, for the Ngaruwat Bumi ritual.
By
DEDI MUHTADI
·4 minutes read
Kompas/Dedi Muhtadi
The indigenous community of Banceuy in Sanca village, Ciater district, Subang regency, West Java, holds the annual Ngaruwat Bumi natural conservation ceremony. The cultural ceremony, held since the 1800s, is a show of gratitude for abundant harvests.
Banceuy, a kampong which is home to about 300 families, is situated on the eastern slope of Mount Tangkubanparahu in Subang. Through local knowledge and the preservation of Ngaruwat Bumi traditions, the kampong, about 30 kilometers to the north of Bandung city, is known as a tourist attraction and research center.
Hundreds of residents recently flocked to Banceuy kampong, Sanca village, Subang regency, West Java. They came for the dongdang paradecarryingbamboo tools that is used to harvest rice, fruit and vegetables.
Dongdang is made of bamboo or wood and is built like a Sundanese house with julang ngapak traditional architecture, but in miniature form. Various dances, including jaipongan and sisingaan with the characteristics of the Subang regency, enlivened the Sunda buhun art attraction.
"In the Ngaruwat Bumi ritual, we also use traditional arts, especially those existing in Subang," said Indra Suprihat, 38, a local artist from the Banceuy kampong. Together with other artists, namely Odang Somyang, 41, and Ayep S, 37, they continue to keep the tradition alive, which was inherited from their ancestors.
Ngaruwat Bumi constitutes a Banceuy ancestral tradition which is usually held as a form of gratitude for good harvests. This tradition is held in conjunction with the Islamic New Year. On the Hijriah calendar, Sept. 21, 2017 constituted the 1439 Hijriah New Year. The harvest surpluses are collected and distributed to underprivileged residents.
Sance village chief Masna, 51, said this tradition is an annual ritual ahead of the Islamic New Year. "This activity is held annually to express our gratitude over good harvests. They harvest is also distributed to those in need."
The kampong’s founder, Aki Leutik, taught local residents sustainable agriculture.
Local wisdom
According to local tradition, Aki Leutik, also known as Raden Ismail Saleh, was the offspring of a Sumedanglarang Sundanese king in the 7th and 8th centuries. It was said because of his supernatural powers, he could sit on a banana leaf or enter a small hole. Therefore, he was called Aki Leutik (small Sundanese). He was also the initiator of an irrigation scheme that used water from the nearby forest.
According to local tradition residents are banned from cutting down trees growing on the mountain’s slopes. "Up until today, residents abide by the regulation because the trees serve as an upstream catchment area," said Indra Suprihat.
Banceuy’s residents also uphold unwritten traditions, like not entering the forest on Tuesdays and Fridays. No activities are allowed on the soccer fields on Saturdays. According to residents, those who flout these rules can suddenly fall ill.
Banceuy kampong’s women are forbidden from going out at night, except to the mosque, for fear of being kidnapped or dirawu (sexually assaulted) by kelong (men). At the event, the residents slaughter a buffalo and hold a shadow puppet show. The buffalo meat is distributed to residents.
"The traditional ceremony is held for two days with its peak on the last Wednesday before the first of Muharam. This ceremony has been held every year since the 1800s,” said Indra. On the first day, young people adorned the village with yellow coconut leaves.
Visitors from various regions, including Bandung and Jakarta, flocked to the village to watch various art performances, including tarawangsa, celempung and gembyung. ”We always hold the puppet show to entertain local residents and at the same time preserve the ancestral inheritance,” he said.
Tourism icon
The peak of the event was the parade of Dewi Sri -- a local art carnival. It included pencak silat martial arts, hanjuang carrying dance, dogdog or reog art, genjring and sisingaan.
Purwakarta regent Dedi Mulyadi, who is also a Sundanese cultural observer, said the Ngaruwat Bumi tradition, could become a major tourist attraction. ”Such a traditional activity has the potential to boost tourism to the area because it is held every year,” he added.
"The cost of the event is usually borne by the local people themselves. This year we were able to raise Rp 56 million," said Indra.
