'Makepung' a contest between paranormals<\/p>\n
N Jagadhita, Contributor\/Denpasar<\/p>\n
If one is in Jembrana regency in Bali between June and December,
\nthere will be a good chance to see a unique traditional buffalo
\nrace called Makepung.<\/p>\n
Buffalo races, held by farmers to celebrate a good harvest,
\nhave now become a tourist attraction. Despite the dwindling
\nfarmland due to development activities, the race remains popular.<\/p>\n
The event was adapted from an old farmers game. The farmers,
\nwhile hauling their rice, would race each other.<\/p>\n
As the saying goes, \"time is money\" and so it was during
\nharvest time. The farmers would load up as much rice from the
\npaddy onto a cikar, a wooden cart pulled by two buffaloes. The
\nfaster they got to their destination, the better, because this
\nmeant that they could repeat the process more often throughout
\nthe day during the crucial harvest time.<\/p>\n
So they would do all they could to make the carts light and
\nefficient -- literally built for speed. Soon, they realized it
\nwas quite an enjoyable competition to see who had the fastest
\ncart and the race was born.<\/p>\n
Later on, the race became more popular and was then organized
\nas a proper event called the makepung. The two buffaloes that
\npull the cart are called pepadu and they are usually males.<\/p>\n
The racers now not only keep the wheels of the carts well-
\noiled and as light as possible, but also give the racing
\nbuffaloes extra special treatment. A few days before the race,
\nthey train with the buffaloes and provide them with eggs mixed
\nwith honey and a commercially available energy drink from local
\nshops. They also give them the highest quality food.<\/p>\n
Besides the physical treatment, the buffaloes also receive
\n\"blessings\" from the supernatural world, according to Ida Bagus
\nKade Edenay, a pepadu owner who is also a pemangku (religious
\nleader) for makepung enthusiasts club of Ijo Gading Timur.<\/p>\n
He said that a ritual laden with magic spells is held for his
\nbuffaloes a day before the race to calm them and to make them
\nstronger. It is also thought that a good spell will make other
\nbuffaloes fear them, so that the other one loses confidence
\nbefore the race even begins. Many buffalo owners are also known
\nto ask their local shaman to cast a powerful spell.<\/p>\n
So, one can imagine how serious the event becomes, as it is
\nnot just a competition among buffaloes, but also one between the
\nvarious magic men and women in the area to determine who has more
\npower.<\/p>\n
A pemangku holds a religious ceremony for the buffaloes prior
\nto and after the big matches with many special offerings
\npresented. It is quite similar to the treatment of heroes before
\nthey go off to war and when they return.<\/p>\n
The night before the match, the buffaloes sleep near the
\nracetrack. They are diligently guarded by the owners, who
\nexpressly forbid anyone to touch them or to treat them with
\nanything but the utmost respect. The owners also protect the
\nbuffaloes against supernatural attacks by erecting \"magic\" fences
\naround them.<\/p>\n
On race day, the buffaloes are adorned with colorful,
\ndecorative horn ornaments, as well those for the neck and the
\ntail. The cart is also elaborately adorned. The ornaments and
\nflags glitter in the morning sun on the day of the big match.<\/p>\n
The owners of the buffaloes do not necessarily ride their own
\ncarts anymore like the old farmers, as it is sometimes better to
\nhire a lighter, more experienced jockey for the task.<\/p>\n
Each match will involve two groups from different areas. The
\nteam from the western part of Jembrana -- west of Ijo Gading
\nriver -- is called Ijo Gading Barat, and their big rivals to the
\neast is called Ijo Gading Timur.<\/p>\n
There are a number of categories in any given match, from
\nbeginner to advanced. Each team will run buffaloes for each
\ncategory. But unlike a motorcycle racing or the Olympic 100-meter
\ndash, the buffaloes do not start at the same time. After the
\nfirst pepadu reaches a certain distance, the second pepadu will
\nbe released.<\/p>\n
The jury will raise a flag to decide who wins or loses.<\/p>\n
In order to make the buffaloes run faster, the jockey usually
\nshouts, and at times whips them with a rattan stick with nails in
\nit that creates gashes and lacerations all over the buffaloes'
\nafter a race.<\/p>\n
Even though it is bloody, the people believe that it is better
\nto hit the animals with sharp nails rather than with a blunt
\nstick because the wounds will heal faster. They maintain that if
\nthe buffalo is beaten black and blue, then it will be difficult
\nfor the animal to recover.<\/p>\n
The ones that win will be given even more special treatment,
\nusually with a victory party.<\/p>\n
Makepung races usually take place in Delod Berawah, Mertasari,
\nBanyubiru and Brawantangi. There are three main districts in the
\nprovincial level competition, in which the participants vie for
\nthe Regent's Cup, the Governor's Cup and the Perancak Cup.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/makepung-a-contest-between-paranormals-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}