'Seren Taun' ritual attracts big crowd<\/p>\n
Nana Rukmana
\nThe Jakarta Post\/Kuningan, West Java<\/p>\n
Far from the sophistication of modern metropolitan cities,
\nhundreds of people have turned up for the Seren Taun ritual
\nprocession in the small Cigugur village in Kuningan regency, West
\nJava.<\/p>\n
Held in the 12th month of the Sundanese calendar, that this
\nyear fell on Feb. 2, the thanksgiving ritual marked the end of
\nharvest season and the beginning of a new year.<\/p>\n
The event culminated on Wednesday with the ngajayak dance, a
\nprocession to welcome farmers. The event was also used by local
\nfarmers to show off agricultural products as well as other
\nattractions.<\/p>\n
The ritual attracted visitors from outside the regency,
\nincluding former president Abdurrahman Wahid, Minister of Trade
\nAndung A. Nitimihardja, as well as representatives from the
\nSurakarta royal families and leaders of local communities from
\nacross the country.<\/p>\n
An elder of the Sundanese Cigugur community, Prince
\nDjatikusumah, said the Seren Taun ritual was meant to demonstrate
\nfarmers' gratitude for a good harvest.<\/p>\n
\"The Seren Taun ritual reflects Sundanese farmers' gratitude
\nto God for the blessings that we received and hope for good a
\nharvest in the coming year,\" said the prince, the host of the
\nceremony.<\/p>\n
He said the ritual is rich in human values, social solidarity
\nas well as reflecting the strong work ethos of the farming
\ncommunity.<\/p>\n
\"The Seren Taun ritual is not a merely an attraction but also
\nreflects how people should always feel grateful to the Creator
\nwho gives us generous blessings,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Located at the foot of Mt. Ceremai in West Java, the village
\nis renowned as a model of religious harmony where Muslims,
\nChristians and those of other faiths have long lived together in
\npeace.<\/p>\n
Seren Taun reflects the people's religious and cultural
\nvalues, passed on from generation to generation.<\/p>\n
Minister of Trade Andung A. Nitimihardja said the ritual could
\nbe further developed to support tourism. \"This tradition is a
\nvaluable asset that could be developed as cultural-based
\ntourism,\" Andung said.<\/p>\n
The ritual, according to Kuningan Regent Aang Hamid Suganda,
\nwas not intended to show local people's backwardness, \"but it can
\nbe used to explore philosophical values that can be used to make
\nus become a better nation\".<\/p>\n
Wednesday's opening procession was continued with three
\ncolossal performances -- the Buyung dance, and Angklung Baduy and
\nAngklung Buncis musical performances -- which were performed by
\nmembers of the community coming from different religions and
\nfaiths.<\/p>\n
After the performances, the event ended with a procession.
\nRice paddy was given to the people by the community leaders, who
\nthen pounded it together.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/seren-taun-ritual-attracts-big-crowd-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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