Lampung Cultural Expert Explains the Meaning Behind the Buffalo Head Stepping Procession

A Lampung cultural expert has explained that the procession of stepping on a buffalo head is part of a sacred tradition that has existed for hundreds of years. The ritual is performed during the Begawi Cakak Pepadun ceremony, which marks a person’s ascension to the highest customary position or enthronement as a traditional leader. This procession symbolises the cleansing of negative traits such as arrogance, envy, and greed, and serves as a form of respect for the individual being bestowed with the customary title.

Admi Syarif, a Lampung cultural expert and member of the Expert Council of the Lampung Traditional Leaders Assembly (MPAL), stated that the procession, known in the Lampung language as Mesol Kibau, has been practised for centuries. He explained that the buffalo holds a special place in Lampung culture and is often used as a measure in various customary calculations and major celebrations. The act of stepping on the buffalo’s head is performed during the Pasta Aji ceremony to signify the completion of the ritual.

Admi noted that the buffalo was chosen for its symbolism of strength and greatness, reflecting the character of the Lampung people, rather than a smaller animal like a goat or chicken. He further interpreted the act of stepping on the head as a symbolic effort to eliminate animalistic desires from within a person. He questioned why the similar ritual performed by President Jokowi, who received the customary title ‘Baginda Pemuka Bangsa’ at the Kedatun Keagungan in Bandar Lampung, recently became a subject of controversy, suggesting that such matters should ideally be resolved internally by the respective clans.