Ngabean Residents in Temanggung Preserve the Bersih Punden Sumur Blandung Tradition
Temanggung - The community in Ngabean Hamlet, Tegowanuh Village, Kaloran District, Temanggung Regency, Central Java, held the annual tradition of Bersih Punden Sumur Blandung to commemorate 1 Suro (Islamic New Year 1448).
Ngabean Hamlet elder Hidayat (61) stated in Temanggung on Tuesday that the tradition, which has been passed down for decades, serves as an expression of gratitude and a collective prayer for the safety and welfare of the community.
Since morning, residents flocked to the Sumur Blandung site carrying buckets and cleaning equipment. They worked together to clean the punden area and drain the well, which is considered to hold historical and spiritual value for the local community.
“Around 90 per cent of Ngabean Hamlet residents participated in this activity. This tradition has been ongoing for a long time and we continue to preserve it from generation to generation,” he said.
According to him, the Bersih Punden Sumur Blandung tradition is not merely about cleaning the environment, but also serves as a means to strengthen social bonds among residents through the spirit of mutual cooperation.
“Besides maintaining the cleanliness and preservation of the punden, this activity also becomes a gathering event for residents. Everyone comes together, works together, and helps one another regardless of age,” he said.
After the communal work concluded, residents held a selamatan or thanksgiving ceremony around the punden site. Various traditional dishes such as tumpeng, megono, and ingkung chicken were served to be enjoyed together as a symbol of gratitude for the blessings bestowed by God Almighty.
During the series of activities, residents also collected water from a small spring located within the Sumur Blandung area. The water, dripping slowly from the spring source, was then bottled by residents who needed it.
He explained that the prayers offered during the selamatan were intended to seek health, safety, and blessings for the entire community of Ngabean Hamlet and Tegowanuh Village.
“Our hope is that the community is always granted health, kept away from calamity and disease, blessed with long life, good fortune, and a prosperous and peaceful life. This tradition serves as a reminder for the younger generation about the importance of togetherness, mutual cooperation, and gratitude to Allah SWT,” he said.