Singosari temple, is also known as Kendedes temple, was founded in honor to the King Kertanegara, who was the last king of Singosari dynasty who died in 1292 AD. This temple was erected in 1300 AD at the same time when the ritual Sradha took place. In the vicinity of the temple there are two gigantic statue called Dwarapala, believed to be the entrance guards to the palace.

Singosari Temple - Singosari, Malang

This temple has saved the historical story that always remember by Malang public. However, Singosari temple is a symbol of the existence of Malang regency from years ago.

Singosari Statue

As the other East Java’s temple, Singosari temple is formed from red bricks and arranged in cone building, called temple. This temple also has beautiful relief that describe the great of Singosari Kingdom years ago.

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Surabaya Shopping Festival 2012

Surabaya Shopping Festival 2012

By celebrating Surabaya Anniversary, it is now open, Surabaya Shopping Festival 2012. This celebration is cooperated by numbers of Malls and  Plaza that giving special offer to all products sale.

Surabaya Shopping Festival is start during May 1- 31th 2012. The participants that follow this program are:

Galaxy Mall,Tunjungan Plaza, WTC, ITC, Hi-tech Mall, Supermall Pakuwon Indah, Pakuwon Trade Center, Royal Plaza, Surabaya Town Square, Golden City Mall, Maspion Square, CITO, DTC, Plaza Marina, Pasar Atom , BG Junction. Ciputra World, Grand City, Lenmarc, Surabaya Plaza, Etc.

Those shopping malls are compete to give special offers until 75-80% discount at all items they have. Moreover, one of those malls are also available for midnight shopping, which also giving the more special discount on some of of products details.

Enjoy the Shopping…

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Kuda Lumping / Jaran Kepang

Jaran Kepang

Jaran Kepang or Kuda Lumping is literally s flat horse which made by flat bamboo woven. Jaran Kepang is a traditional Javanese dance depicting a group of horsemen. The dancers “ride” horses made from woven bamboo and decorated with colorful paints and traditional cloth.

Generally, the dance portrays troops riding horses, but another type of Kuda Lumping performance also incorporates trances and magic tricks. When the “possessed” dancer is performing the dance in trance conditions, he can display unusual abilities, such as eating glass and resistance to the effects of whipping or hot coals. Although the dance is native to Java, Indonesia, it also performed by Javanese immigrants in Suriname, Malaysia and Singapore.

Kuda Lumping may be performed in celebration of a special event, such as a boy’s circumcision or rite of passage. It may also be performed as entertainment, in a busker style. It is generally performed in a cordoned-off area, with the audience separated from the dancers.

Dancers perform using rattan horses, generally colourful and decorated with beads and sequins. Adults use larger horses than children. Children’s horses may also be cut from bamboo mats. Performers wear colorful clothes and may occasionally dress as soldiers. The costume may also include small bells strung around the ankle. In comparison to the shaman, the dancers’ costumes are more feminine.

May 7
Sunan Giri Haul

At this day is the commemoration the death of Sunan Giri. Sunan Giri is one of the Wali Songo member, and the founder of Gresik regency. There will number of activities related to Islamic things, like Hadrah, reading Koran, Religious preach and more.
Location: GOR Tridarma Petrokimia Gresik.

May 9
Mojokerto Anniversary

At this anniversary of Mojokerto regency, there will flag ceremonial and some cultural activities like traditional dances to commemorate the struggle of Raden Wijaya to build Majapahit. Beside, there is also pilgrim ceremonial to the grave of former Mojokerto regents, sport race and cultural art.
Location: Local Government Office, Mojokerto

May 16 to 20
SURABAYA GREAT EXPO

Surabaya Great Expo is an Industry and Trade Fairs by displaying a variety of superior products from the participants, which consist of several government agencies and private agencies
Location: Gramedia Expo Surabaya

May 26
CULTURAL PARADE

To celebrate Lamongan Anniversary, there will be Cultural Parade, that followed by numbers of participants from each sub-districts and all levels of Government and Educational Institutions in Lamongan.
Location: Lamongan Square

May
MAJAPAHIT TRAVEL FAIR (MTF)

In order to put East Java in the world tourism map as a tourist destination, the Department of Culture and Tourism Province of East Java in cooperation with the tourism industry and related associations, held a regular tourist event annualy in Surabaya.
MTF 2012 will held on May 17 to 20 with activities include: Business Meeting, Seminar (Workshop), Exhibition and Tourism Exchange (Exhibition), Introduction to Tourism (Fam Trip), Cultural Arts Festival and Competitions
Location: Grand City Surabaya, Gubeng

BANTENGAN ARTS FESTIVAL

Banteng is a bull, this Bantengan art is held to commemorate the tradition from ancient time, where one of Majapahit figures was always held the bull fight. This annual celebration is the collaboration between Youth, Sport, Culture and Tourism Department, and followed by 50 groups or Bantengan art.
Location: Great Hall District Trowulan

May
THE ELECTION OF TOURISM AMBASSADOR OF YAK – YUK

This election of Tourism Ambassador of Yuk Yak is a series of Lamongan anniversary events as a media for young generation as well as providing knowledge the field of Touri
Location: Regency Hall Lamongan

SURABAYA CITY DAY on 719th
CULTURE AND FLOWER PARADE

This parade is being held to celebrate the 719th anniversary of Surabaya, it starts from Pahlawan Street and it ends at City Hall
Location: Heroes Monument – Surabaya City Hall

RUJAK ULEG FESTIVAL

Rujak uleg is one of traditional food of Suurabaya. As part to celebrate the Surabaya anniversary, rujak uleg vestival is held and it followed by hundreds of participants.
Location: Kembang Jepun Street, Surabaya
SURABAYA SHOPPING FESTIVAL

Surabaya shopping Festival is a blasting month for those who love to shop. At this moment, there will be great sale and discount on every malls and plazas in Surabaya and also some of related venues of entertainment.
Location: Shooping Centers in  Surabaya

Cak And Ning Tourism Ambasador Election

This election is having purpose to choose the candidates of man and woman to be the representative to promote East Java tourism, especially Surabaya tourism.
Location: City of Surabaya
Art Performance

This art performance is traditional art in the form of Tandaan, Tayub, and related. Tandaan and Tayub is a traditiona art dance and drama.
Location: Cultural Park Building, Â Gentengkali street, Surabaya

May – June
Keduk Beji Sendang Tawun

This traditional ceremony is about to clean Tawun waterfall by the divers and using groom wardrobe. The participants are also followed by some teenagers and local society.
Location: Tawun pool, Ngawi

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Kapur Cave

Kapur cave is located near to Blawan waterfall in Kalianyar village, Bondowoso. Goa Kapur or Kapur cave is approximately located around 175 Km from Belawan hot spring. At the cave, the local people believe there is a clear water poll that being used by Damarwulan to wash his face at that time. Damarwulan was a Javanese legendary hero that had mighty power to help the poor.

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Seblang is one of rituals in Osing societies, Banyuwangi regency. This ritual can be found in two villages, which is. Bakungan village and Olihsari village. Olihsari society will held this ceremony in a week after the Idul Fitri. While, Bakungan society will held the ceremony in a week after the Idul Adha.

This ritual is having purpose to be the reinforcement from bad situations that might happened within the society. This kind of ritual can also be found in some area in Indonesia, like Sintren ritual in Cirebon, Jaran Kepang and Sanghyang in Bali.

The dancers that allowed to perform Seblang dance are chosen by the shaman from each village. Moreover, it will be better if the chosen dancers are the descendants of the earlier dancers.

At Olihsari village, the chosen dancers are taken from the girls that have not puberty yet. While, in Bakungan, the dancers are taken from the elder lady in 50 years old above that already get menopause.

 Seblang dance is  a very old tradition, so it is difficult to trace the origin of the commencement. However, historical records show that the first known Seblang was a woman named Semi, which also became the first woman Gandrung dance pioneer (died 1973).

After recovering from her illness, then her mother’s vow (Mak Midah or Mak Milah ) must be revealed, Semi  finally became the first seblang dancer in the age of her childhood until her teenage age, the she started to become a  Gandrung dancer.

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Rawon - East Java Culinary

Rawon

Rawon or Nasi Rawon (Rawon Rice) is a strong rich tasting traditional Indonesian beef black soup. Rawon is originally from Surabaya, it is black because it uses black nuts/keluwek/kepayang in Malay (Pangeum edule, fruits of kepayang tree) as the main spice which gives the strong nutty flavor and dark color to the soup.

The soup is made of ground mix­ture of garlic, shallot, keluwak, ginger, candlenut, turmeric, red chili and salt sauteed with oil until it gets fragrant. The sauteed mixture is then poured into boiled beef stock with diced beef. Lemongrass, galangal, bay leaves, kaffir lime leaves and sugar are then added as seasonings. The spe­cial dark/black color of rawon comes from the keluak as the main spice.

The soup is usually garnished with green onion and fried shallot, and served with rice, hence the name Rawon Rice or Nasi Rawon in Indonesian language, together with baby bean sprouts, salted preserved egg, shrimp crackers and sambal chili sauce on the side.

It is better served hot and ate at any times. Together with Soto, Rawon is also having popular name among the society around East Java or outside province. There are stalls that put Rawon into their menus and there are also particular stalls that significantly serve Rawon as their main menu.

www.EastJava.com

It is important to inform that the local communities usually determine the schedules of the ceremonial events by using the calendars of Javanese, Moslem, and Hindu Tenggerese. Therefore, to assure the exact date of the events, it is advisable to confirm the local Government Tourist Offices.

We hope the East Java’s Calendar of Events 2012 will be helpful and useful for visitors and travelers.

April Tourism Calendar

1 April

Blitar Anniversary

This annual event is celebrate to commemorate the anniversary day of Blitar city. This celebration is include :

1. Flag ceremony of old Blitar. This activity is very interesting and unique because all of the participants of the ceremony are using Dutch wardrobes from Colonial era.
2. Bazar and Traditional Arts. This exhibition contains vintage nuanced, and lively arts traditional include: jaranan, Gambyong Classical Dance, Keroncong, Mocopat, kentrung, Cokekan, Ketoprak and musical performances.
3. As a peak event, there will be an all-night puppet show at the Mayor’s Office field of Blitar, that preceded by a fireworks show.

Location: Blitar City Square

April 9 to 10

NGANJUK ANNIVERSARY

In order to commemorate the anniversary Nganjuk Regency, there will be range of activities to celebrate this event. It starts with celebration of Boyong Pemerintahan, or Government mass convoy to regency hall. It followed by the Regent, the government officers and local societies. Those participants are using royal carriage, traditional dokar, padicap or vintage motorcycle for ride. Moreover, all participants are dressed in traditional Javanese clothes.
Location: Berbek Sub-district, Nganjuk Square and Regency Hall, Nganjuk city

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Remo Dance, East Java Traditional Dance

Remo Dance

Remo dance is originating from Jombang regency, East Java. At early begin, this dance was used as an opening show before Ludruk show. In times, this dance is practically performed as a welcome dance in special occasion like state ceremonies and local arts festival.

Remo dance is telling about the struggle of a prince in a battle. Hence, this dance is performed by a man, or today, it is performed by a woman who dressed up like a man. By that case, today, there is a type of Remo dance, which is Remo Putri or type of Remo dance which performed by a woman.

The main characteristic of Remo dance is a smart footwork and dynamic movement. This movement is supported by the bells that attached at the ankle. This bell will sounds when the dancers stepping or stomping on the stage. In addition, the other movement characteristic is taken from the scarf or sampur, nod and shake of the head movements, facial expressions, and the horses movement make this dance more attractive.

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The Ritual of Sedekah Bumi

Sedekah Bumi

Sedekah Bumi is a traditional ritual that still being held by some communities in East Java Province. This Sedekah Bumi is having different names in each region, but it has the same purpose either ways. Sedekah Bumi is kind of an offering and thanksgiving to the Earth or God, for the bountiful of harvest. The harvest can be either come from the fields or fisheries.

The celebration of the Sedekah Bumi is different between one region to another. In Gresik, Sedekah Bumi is held during Zulkaidah month (Islamic Calender) and Sela month (Javanese calender). There are some sub-districts in Gresik that participating this ritual, which is, Kedanyang village, Kebonmas subdistrict; Dahanlor village, Dahanrejo village; Manyar sub-district; Banjarsari village and Betiring village, Banjarsari Village, Cerme Sub-district.

At that moment, the inhabitants are bring any kind of snacks, beverages, traditional cakes and agricultures like harvest things. Those offering are set into interesting form or placed into offering trays or better known as Ancak.

Ancak is similar to altar table, which is made by stretcher. An Ancak is carried by 2-4 people to the location of Sedekah Bumi. Interestingly, in each Ancak, there is Rengginang or glutinous rice crisp. In Daharlor, Rengginang is made similar to crown shape, which symbolize the power and prosperity. While in Betiring, Rengginang is made similar to buffalo horn, as a symbol of fertility.

Before the ritual begin, the inhabitants are moving around the village by carrying Bende or little gong and sacred umbrella that belongs to Tumenggung Pusponegoro, in 294 years ago. The local inhabitants bring Bende and the umbrella to the venue of Sedekah Bumi.

By celebrating this Sedekah Bumi, the inhabitants give thank to the plentiful harvest and ask for other bountiful harvest in next season.

www.EastJava.com