'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.