'Seren Taun' ritual attracts big crowd
'Seren Taun' ritual attracts big crowd
Nana Rukmana
The Jakarta Post/Kuningan, West Java
Far from the sophistication of modern metropolitan cities,
hundreds of people have turned up for the Seren Taun ritual
procession in the small Cigugur village in Kuningan regency, West
Java.
Held in the 12th month of the Sundanese calendar, that this
year fell on Feb. 2, the thanksgiving ritual marked the end of
harvest season and the beginning of a new year.
The event culminated on Wednesday with the ngajayak dance, a
procession to welcome farmers. The event was also used by local
farmers to show off agricultural products as well as other
attractions.
The ritual attracted visitors from outside the regency,
including former president Abdurrahman Wahid, Minister of Trade
Andung A. Nitimihardja, as well as representatives from the
Surakarta royal families and leaders of local communities from
across the country.
An elder of the Sundanese Cigugur community, Prince
Djatikusumah, said the Seren Taun ritual was meant to demonstrate
farmers' gratitude for a good harvest.
"The Seren Taun ritual reflects Sundanese farmers' gratitude
to God for the blessings that we received and hope for good a
harvest in the coming year," said the prince, the host of the
ceremony.
He said the ritual is rich in human values, social solidarity
as well as reflecting the strong work ethos of the farming
community.
"The Seren Taun ritual is not a merely an attraction but also
reflects how people should always feel grateful to the Creator
who gives us generous blessings," he said.
Located at the foot of Mt. Ceremai in West Java, the village
is renowned as a model of religious harmony where Muslims,
Christians and those of other faiths have long lived together in
peace.
Seren Taun reflects the people's religious and cultural
values, passed on from generation to generation.
Minister of Trade Andung A. Nitimihardja said the ritual could
be further developed to support tourism. "This tradition is a
valuable asset that could be developed as cultural-based
tourism," Andung said.
The ritual, according to Kuningan Regent Aang Hamid Suganda,
was not intended to show local people's backwardness, "but it can
be used to explore philosophical values that can be used to make
us become a better nation".
Wednesday's opening procession was continued with three
colossal performances -- the Buyung dance, and Angklung Baduy and
Angklung Buncis musical performances -- which were performed by
members of the community coming from different religions and
faiths.
After the performances, the event ended with a procession.
Rice paddy was given to the people by the community leaders, who
then pounded it together.