Archive for June, 2006
The government of Banyuwangi gives a special attention to the art of Gandrung. The purpose of this is to grow and possess the spirit of local ethnicity with all the cultures, that basically increase the tourism developmnet. Because of this reason, gandrung, then is determined as the mascot of tourism which is declared in the Banyuwangi Regency Decision, Number 173 in 2002.
The word of gandrung comes from javanese language that means “desperately in love” It means that they are in love in the goddess of paddy, Dewi Sri, that brings the prosperity to the people of Banyuwangi that most of them are farmers.
As the gratitude to the good harvest, the people organize a performance which is called “gandrung” because the farmers were in love or gandrung with the goddess of paddy.
The gandrung performance used to be staged in the night, started at 09 PM until 04 AM. This traditional art gandrung is performed by day too especially to welcome distinguished guests.
information : www.eastjava.com
June 28th, 2006
Referring to existing historical data along the history of Blambangan, 18 December 1771 was the oldest historical and therefore was decide as the birth day of Banyuwangi. Before the peak event Puputan Bayu war (Banyuwangi local language meaning the completed war in Bayu now Kecamatan Songgon), there was a heroic war, when Blambangan warriors lead by prince Puger (the Son Wong Agung Wilis) attacked VOC force in Banyualit in 1768.
However, unfortunately such event was not completely recorded in term of time (date), and there was an impression that attack resulted in the total defeat, while the enemy did not lose at all. In this incident, prince Puger died and after Lateng was destructed Wong Agung Wilis was sounded and cached and then thrown to Banda island. Based on Historical data, the name of Banyuwangi cannot be separated from Blambangan Kingdom. Since the era of prince Tawang Alun (1655-1691), prince Sasranegara, prince Mancanapua, prince Danureja (1691-1736) prince Danuningrat (1736-1763) and event when Blambangan occupied by Bali (17631767), VOC had never been interested in entering and managing power in Blambangan.
In 1743, Eastern part of Java (including Blambangan) was surrendered by Pakubuwono II to VOC, VOC felt that Blambangan had been belong to them. But for temporarily it was a “stock good ” that would be sometimes exploited when needed. Event when Danuningrat wanted the aid (VOC for escaping himself from Bali) VOC was still not interested in Blambangan in a lisle part of Banyuwangi (at that time it was called Tirtaganda, Tirtoarum, or Tuyoarum), then VOC suddently tried to annex banyuwangi as soon as possible and to secure all Blambangan Kingdom. Generally during the five year war (1767-1772), VOC attempted to annex Banyuwangi when at the time was developed as a trade center in Blambangan Kingdom dominated by British.
Finally, it is clear that the birth of a place, later on well known as Banyuwangi,
was a start from the big Puputan Bayu war. If British didn’t occupy Banyuwangi in
1766, perhaps VOC would not expand to Blambangan in 1767, and because of it, the Puputan Bayu war would not be happen ( at is concluded that there was a strong correlation between the Puputan Bayu war and birth of a place then called
Banyuwangi. In other words, the Puputan Bayu war is apart of the birth process of
Banyuwangi. Therefore, the determination of December 18, 1771 as the birthday of Banyuwangi is very reasonable.
The Legend Of Banyuwangi
The ruler of Blambangan Kingdom, raden Banterang, used to occupy his / neighboring countries in order to expand his territory, including to conquer Klungkung Kingdom of’ Bali. The outbreak of the Klungkung war had destroyed such a small country. The king of Klungkung was killed in the battlefield, yet his daughter and son were able to escape and hide in the jungle.
One day, Raden Banterang and his commanders were inspecting his district while going hunting. It was in the jungle that Raden Banterang met with a beautiful lady named Ida Ayu Surati. Then she was taken to Blambangan to be made his wife. Raden Banterang and Ida Ayu Surati used to enjoy happy life in the palace.
When Raden Banterang was going hunting, the lonely princess was surprised by the arrival of dirty beggar asking for her pity. ‘What a surprise the princess was to find that the beggar was no longer her older brother, Agung Bagus Mantra. She promptly squatted and embraced her brother’s legs. However, her great respect on her brother was not well accepted. Instead, she was tortured for she supposed to have betrayed her noble family.
Agung Bagus Mantra asked his sister to kill Raden Banterang, but such a request was rejected. At last, he was very much angry with her, and so that he had a sly idea to slander Raden Banterang
At first, Raden Banterang did not believe that his wife had made a scandal with other man. Yet because of Agung’s convincing words, he was finally very much influenced and therefore, his wife was dragged down to a small lake. Asking for compassion, Ida ayu Surati tried to tell the truth and denied her husbands accusation. Hearing his wife’s explanation, the king even became angrier and angrier. As a proof of her sacred love, she asked her husband to kill her. In her last request, she asked her husband to throw her dead body into river. She said that if the water in the river smelled no good, it means that she had ever been sinful, but it it smelled fragrant it means that she was innocent.
Raden Banterang who was no more able to control his emotion, soon stabbed his crease into his wife’s chess. She died instantly
The dead body of Ida Ayu Surati was quickly thrown down into the dirty river.
How shocked Raden Banterang was to find him self that the dirty water of the river suddenly changed to become clean, as plain as a glass, and smelled fragrant.
Raden Banterang screamed crazily and regretted his deed. He walked unsteadily
and fell down in one side of the river. Unconsciously he said, “Banyuwangi…
Banyuwangi , Banyuwangi !
Another legend of Banyuwangi was taken from the story of Sri Tanjung
Sidopekso. Once upon a time, a local ruler, King Sulahkromo, had a patih, R.Sidopekso. The wife of the patih, Sri Tanjung was so beautiful that the King desires her. In order to be able to seduce Sri Tanjung, the King ordered his patih on a mission that would take a long time to accomplish. During his absence, the King tried to court Sri Tanjung, without success. When R. Sidopekso returned, he went first to his ruler. The King, angry that his scheme had not succeeded, told the patih that during his absence his wife had been unfaithful to him. Sidopekso went home and confronted his wife with her alleged adultery. Her denial did not convince him of the contrary, and he announced that he was going to kill her. Sidopekso brought Sri Tanjung to a bank of the river, before he stabbed her to death, she prophesied that her innocence would be proven. And indeed, after haying slabbed his wife to death, thrown the dead body into the dirty river, and immediately the river became clean and began to spread a wonderful fragrant. Sidopekso said, Banyu … Wangi….. Banyuwangi, mean “Fragrant Water “. BANYUWANGI was born from the proof of Noble and Sacred Love.
June 28th, 2006
Arabica Coffee Garden
The Arabica Coffee Garden Tourism object belongs to BUMN PT Perkebunan XXVI, it is 4,000 hectares, and 900 height from the bottom of the sea. Arabica coffee has a typical taste with a good smell and a delicious taste. The tourists can also see the coffee grinding process. The tourists can also do the garden area tour by bicycles or by cars (which is coordinated by PT. TIMUR CIPTA PESONA AGROWISATA). This car coordinator also provides the transportation to other tourism objects, such as :
- Blawan-Sempol hot water bathing garden
- Kawah Wurung in Jampit-Sempol
- Blawan-Sempol waterfall
- Flower garden in Jampit
Arak - Arak Natural View
The natural view of Arak-arak hill slope is very beautiful. In this area, there is also a resting place of Arak-arak natural view which is located in Canting village-Wringin subdistrict, at the height of 345 meters from the bottom of the sea. The tourists can enjoy the beauty of the below scene, and the fresh air. In the below scene, the tourists can see the white sand sea (and the beautiful wave) which is located in Situbondo district area.
Blawan Waterfall
The Blawan Waterfall Tourism Object is located in Kalianyar village, Klabang subdistrict. Blawan Waterfall is the continuation of Kali Pahit River which is also the disposal place of the water from Kawah Ijen. The water from Kawah Ijen contains of much sulfur. Blawan waterfall is surrounded by sharp cliffs and there is also stalagmite cave. It is believed that a long time ago this cave was oftenly used to meditate.The water from Blawan Waterfall goes down to earth then it shows up again in Asembagus, Situbondo district.
Bull Fighting
Bondowoso is best known for its brassware and its traditional and interesting even, in which bull fights against gull. Events which are usually held in Tapen, Bendungan and Sampean Baru, about 15 km from Bondowoso, last from 8 a.m. till 3 p.m. Bull fighting is a traditional event and among others airns to improve the quality of cattle-breeding. The events never result in death, as the defeated bull runs way from its opponent. Bull Fighting is a traditional and interesting event with the aim to improve the quality of cowbreeding. This event is very attractive to see, and it’s usually presented on Tapen, Bendungan Sampean Baru (6 km from Bondowoso at 08.00 am. - 03.00 pm) See East Java’s Calendar of events. Some archaelogists pay a visit to the great sarcophagus from prehistoric period, stone age, at Grujungan 3 km south of the town.
Coffee Factory
The opening of Arabica Coffee Grinding is started by a ritual ceremony. This ceremony is meant to bring safety and wealth for the society and the workers. The tourists can see the grinding process and the checking/ dividing process in PT. Perkebunan Nusantara XII Kalisat/ Jampit and Blawan.Ă‚Â Ă‚Â Ă‚Â
Gerbong Maut Monument
On November 23, 1947 the history wrote with a golden pen about the heroical battle of Bondowoso society against the Dutch colony. 100 civil soldiers were carried by three cars. The car number GR.10152 contained 30 people, the car number GR.446 contained 32 people, and the car number GR5769 contained 38 people. Those carts departed from Bondowoso train station at 03.00 a.m. according to Kali Sosok Jail. The soldiers who were in those cars felt hot and stuffy because the lack of air inside those cars and they pushed each other to get the air through the small holes on that broken cars. The worst thing was that those cars’ wall were so hot because of the sunshine. The soldiers were dehydrated, and the result of this was 46 people form 100 people were dead. That historical moment was known by Gerbong Maut Incident, and Gerbong Maut Monument was built as the remembrance of this deadly incident. This monument is located in the heart of Bondowoso city and to remember the dedication of those heroes to this nation, it is held a ceremony on the hero day every year.
June 22nd, 2006
TRAVEL NOTES
We were awoken by the cold at about 4 a.m., after a few hours of half sleep. We had come ill prepared, not expecting such a dramatic drop in the temperature, and were suffering the consequences. The drive up on the previous day had taken some 5 hours from Bondowoso and we had arrived in Jampit at around 10 p.m.. From here, a sulphur collector had guided us up to our sleeping quarters in the old vulcanology station, which lay a further hour’s climb up the mountain. The silence was magnificent. The only sound heard at these heights was the soughing of the wind in the cemara trees. Audible for several kilometers, the wind could be heard whistling around the rim of the caldera, sometimes taking a full minute to reach us.
As dawn approached we set up cameras overlooking the plateau to the west. Immediately in front of us stood the monstrous crater of Mt. Raung, which at 3,332m is the highest peak in the vicinity and among the tallest in Java. Raung is an active and dangerous volcano, which is known to erupt regularly*.Prior to 1838 the crater probably contained a lake, which would havecaused extensive flood damage during eruptions. Nowadays, however, the crater floor is dry. From the air, the gaping summit of Raung presents an awesome spectacle, the sheer crater walls plunging half a kilometer into the heart of the mountain.
After photographing the changing colours of the early morning sky, from deep purple/blue/grey to golden yellow, we focused on the mountain peaks. Raung, Pendil, Suket and, far to the west, the faint outline of Mt.Argopura and the Iyang plateau, lay like so many islands floating on a sea of cloud. As the first rays of the sun lit up the peaks, we set off on the last stage of the journey, a 45 minute climb to the crater rim of Ijen.
“If you lose your way, just look out for the sulphur trail”, someone had advised us the day before. Now the meaning was clear. A continuous flow of two way traffic, carrying the sulphur down the mountainside from the lake and trudging up again to re-load, had left a yellow trail on the well worn path. Work obviously started early, since already at first light the men who had shared our accommodation had left for the lake shore to load up their baskets.
The Ijen crater lies at approximately 2,300 meters above sea level. It forms a twin volcano with the now extinct Mt. Merapi. The enormous crater lake, which is 200 metres deep and covers an area of more than half a million square meters, contains about 36 million cubic meters of steaming, acid water. A walk around the lake takes a full day.
We arrived at the crater rim just as the sun appeared over the summit of Merapi. The sight was breathtaking. From the still, deep blue surface of the lake, heavily fissured white rock walls rose about 200 meters, enclosing the crater. To the north east we could see the distant peak of Mt. Baluran. Below, at the lake’s edge, was a scene from Dante’s inferno. Small figures could be seen labouring amidst billowing clouds of smoke in the sulphur quarry. As we descended towards the mine, the rising sun began to warm the surface of the lake, which soon changed to a sinister milky turquoise colour. Ripples appeared in the water, disturbing the bright yellow, amoeba-like streaks of sulphur, which until that moment had rested motionless. Half an hour later, when we arrived at the lake shore, the water had begun steaming.
The sulphur, we learned, is transported entirely on foot. In the past, horses were used but they were found to be less practical on the hazardous terrain. Today, the mine yields nine to twelve tons of sulphur per day. Individual loads of up to 70 kgs are carried by men, often barefooted, up to the rim of the crater and then 17 km down the mountainside to a factory near Banyuwangi. The porters are paid by weight. After arrival at the factory, the sulphur is treated before being used in the production of medicines and as an important element in the processing of sugar.
June 22nd, 2006
Spanning from east to west over 3,9 kilometers, with beaches that are aligned with step and lime caved cliffs. That is, at a glance, this picture of Sempu Island located in the eastern part of Java Island.
Pulau(Island) Sempu is located about 70 km from Malang City,East Java.
Technically this Island is a Nature Reservation –Natural Conservation Area.
No population…except wildlife ..Deer, Panthers, Black Monkey, Crabs, etc …and on that time…
Sugar Delta Indonesia animals …!!! Of course there is no electricity ….!
The only natural cave found on this island has his own specialty. The cave located around 2,5 km from the bay is 25 meters above sea level and holds source of sweet water. The cave is 20 meter long and 3 meters wide with a dry survace . It is highly strategic place for those who like to meditate or just seek solitude
( Ari will make his meditation for Long Live of Sugar Delta and Billy will sing Sugar Delta Song…..”One Sugar Delta..there are only One Sugar Delta….!! )
The other uniqueness that can be found on this island, is existence of two lakes, the Lele and Segara Anakan.
A variety of colourful decorative fish can be found in abundance.
Those lakes can be covered on foot in two hours hiking.
June 20th, 2006
Saif Bakham, a prominent figure on Bawean Island, was amazed when told an airport would be built connecting his home with the mainland.
His forehead wrinkled. “Is this really true? An airport? Built here on Bawean?” the 57-year-old Bawean resident asked The Jakarta Post on Friday. “Then their obsession is finally being realized,” he said darkly.
Bawean island lies 150 kilometers north of East Java in the Gresik regency and has 60,000 people.
Gresik’s Planning Board head Sarwadi says his administration plans to build an airport on one of the cliffs near Tanjungori in Tambak, in the next few years.
“If all runs smoothly, the airport will start operations in 2007,” he said.
The administration is preparing a 70-hectare plot of land for the airport, which will have a 900-meter runway. Only light aircraft will be able to land and take off.
The idea originated during a meeting between Malaysian and Singaporean businessmen and East Java Governor Imam Oetomo last year. At the meeting, the businessmen explained how much longer it took to travel from Surabaya to Bawean, compared with the time to travel by plane from Singapore to Surabaya.
“They said: ‘Why don’t you just build an airport on Bawean, it would be a lot faster’,” administration spokesman Suprawoto said.
A feasibility study was then conducted by a team from Surabaya’s Institute of Technology in January last year.
It was expected the airport would help open up Bawean as a tourist destination and would encourage growth in horticulture and fisheries.
Bawean has many potential tourist attractions. Beautiful coral reefs ring the island — especially on the beaches of Mayangkara near Kapuhteluk and around the smaller neighboring islands of Nusa, Cina, Karabile, East Gili and West Gili.
The island also has the Kastoba crater lake and several hot water springs. In the Kebuntelukdalam neighborhood there are also several scenic waterfalls.
Traveling by air, it would only take 15 minutes flying from Surabaya to get to the island. It usually takes three to 10 hours by sea from the port of Gresik on a passenger ferry.
Saif, however, was far from optimistic about the airport, which he said would only bring new problems. The money on the airport would be better off spent fixing existing infrastructure and shortages, he said.
He pointed to the construction of the grand fish landing harbor in Tanjungori. Conceived as a fishing port, it was supposed to become a fish trading center for fishermen in Bawean.
“Where are the results? From its inauguration in the mid-1990s until now it has remained empty,” he said.
Another urgent matter was the scarcity of fuel and electricity, which only met the needs of 10 out of the 30 villages on the island. “Not to mention the few paved roads, left over from the Dutch era,” he said.
Many of the island’s inhabitants were traditionally fisher folk. Now they were working in Singapore and Malaysia because of the poor job prospects at home. In Singapore, many worked in the informal sector — as parking attendants and construction laborers — sending part of their wages back home.
“The people cultivating the rice fields and trading on Bawean are people from Java,” Saif said.
Native Baweans also had little to do with development of the promising onyx stone quarry or tourism on the island.
Bawean, with its scattered hills, cliffs and its white beaches, could be as big a tourist spot as Bali, he said.
Local government had done little to encourage this industry, however. “Even with the (island’s) jetfoil boat — before that stopped service in middle of last year — not a single tourist has visited Bawean because of the lack of serious promotion,” he said.
Without an integrated approach to development on the island, an airport would be just another failed experiment, he said.(ID Nugroho, Surabaya)
Source : www.thejakartapost.com/yesterdaydetail.asp?fileid=20040505.D03
June 20th, 2006
One of the societies living in East Java with attractive wedding tradition is Osing people in Banyuwangi. It attractive because Osing people are known as people with mixed culture. This can be seen in their wedding costumes which are influenced by other cultures, such as: Javanese, Madurese, and Balinese, also by other cultures outside Java. The wedding ceremony of Osing people is divided into several stages as follows:
Acquaintanceship
This stage is the time for two lovers to know each other well. In this stage, it is possible that their relationship would end because of certain reason. If this stage could go on without any obstacles, then the couple continues to the next stage, that is wedding proposal.
Wedding Proposal
According to the custom of Banyuwangi people, wedding proposal is done by the man’s family. Usually if a family has approved their son’s chosen girl, then the wedding proposal is done by asking other person to propose their future daughter in law. The person representing the family is usually a relative or trusted person. Before the wedding proposal is done, usually the man’s family would inform the woman’s family in advance. When the man’s representative comes to the woman’s family, he brings with him a set of woman’s clothes as the symbol of ties between the lovers. This wedding proposal is actually only a formality. At this moment, both sides would discuss the date of the wedding ceremony, the arrangement, and other matters concerning the ceremony. From this discussion, if it turns out that the woman’s family could not afford to hold the ceremony, then the man’s family would help them. On the contrary, if the man’s family could not afford, then it is up to the decision of the woman’s family (as much as they could afford).
The Wedding Ceremony
The wedding ceremony is the climax or the core of wedding custom. Therefore, the people who holds the ceremony will prepare it carefully and in a special way. The wedding ceremony of the Osing people is the combination of religious ceremony and traditional ceremony. For Moslems, they hold Ijab Khobul ceremony to legalize the marriage according to Moslem laws, then the couple would receive wedding certificate issued by the local office of religion affairs.
Besides those stages, Osing people also has two attractive wedding customs, namely Adu Tumper and Perang Bangkat.
Adu Tumper Wedding Custom
Adu Tumper wedding Custom is held in accordance with the belief of Osing people which prohibit the marriage between lovers who are both the eldest children of their families. If the wedding is still continued, Osing people believe that the couple would face a lot of obstacles in their marriage life. However, if there is a certain reason so that the wedding should go on, then Adu Tumper custom is done at the moment the bride and the groom meet (temon ceremony) in order to avoid unwanted things to happen.
Perang Bangkat Wedding Custom
Perang Bangkat Wedding Custom is also part of the sequence of youngest children’s wedding ceremony. This custom is done if one of the married couple is the youngest child in his or her family, or if both the bride and the groom are the youngest children in their families. Therefore, this custom is not applied to the eldest, second, or other children. Perang Bangkat custom is still maintained by the Osing people at present.
The Traditional Wedding Costumes of Osing people
Talking about the wedding costumes of Osing people is interesting. Similar to other societies, the Osing people have already been influenced by other cultures, because they live in villages not far from Banyuwangi (city). Looking at the phenomenon, many Osing people tend to choose Solo or Yogyakarta (Central Java) style of wedding costumes. Fulfilling their demand, there are make-up artists who have already prepared with those wedding costumes.
Parts of the Osing traditional wedding costumes indicate the combination of the wedding costumes of Javanese, Madurese, Balinese, and people outside Java. The groom wears kupluk (a kind of cap) which is usually worn by Javanese groom. Either the bride or the groom wears accessories such as ankle bracelet, like Madurese women do. The hair accessories worn by the bride are like the ones worn by Balinese dancers. Both the bride and the groom wear sarung pelekat cloth, made of silk from Bugis Makassar or Samarinda. Here we can see that the traditional wedding costumes of the Osing people borrow parts from other cultures.
Other interesting side of Osing wedding costumes is that there are agreements to make some changes to the costumes. Because of certain reason, some people who feel that they are responsible for the culture succeeded in recreating the traditional wedding costumes of Osing people. They recreated the costumes by modifying the previous wedding costumes, such as removing parts which are already old-fashioned, for example: leaving the custom of wearing sunglasses for the wedding couple.
The idea of modifying the teraditional wedding costumes of Osing people in Banyuwangi is a new invention. It is also done to promote one of the Osing culture, that is hand-made batik (a traditional cloth), with the motif called gajah holing. Actually the motivation to modify the costumes is good; however, because of the modification, the unique characteristic of the Osing people as a society with a mixed culture will fade away.
June 19th, 2006
GANDRUNG DANCE
The word Gandrung means Charm or captivation. Hundred years ago it was recorded that Blambangan always had a good crop. The farmer’s idea of creating the dance was presented short after thanksgiving harvest to Dewi Sri, the Goddess of paddy. This was how the Gandrung dance came into existence Gandrung, classical dance from the remnant of the ancient Blambangan Kingdoms, is a dance of which the guests are invited to come on the stage to dance along with the dancers. The turn are decided by the order of arrival of money to the dancers personally or through (gamelan player) by the quests in token of the next turn of the stage.
ANGKLUNG
Just like in the other places where “angklung” is available, “Angklung Blambangan” is from a unit of music instruments using spaces between parts of pieces of bamboo, arranged and set in such lap which produces tune of “slendro” (tune of the Javanese gamelan) but stricken like a saxophone.
There are many types of angklung for example Angklung Blambangan, Angklung Caruk, Angklung Paglak,etc.
PETIK LAUT MUNCAR
This traditional sea festival is held every 15th day of the month of Sura in the Javanese calendar, and is a thanksgiving celebration for year-round successes in fishing. The festival includes the Gandrung dance, performed in an “offering boat” loaded with 60 kinds of offerings which are thrown into the sea. The feature of this celebration is called “Labuh Sesaji.”
The next program is holding the Makam Gandrung, feast at the holegrave of Sayyid Yusuf, completed with Gandrung dance joined by all participants, burning fresh harbour, which are sometimes sprayed with water by all Muncar fishermen.
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OSING,THE UNIQUE ETHNIC FROM BANYUWANGI
Different from other towns in East Java, Banyuwangi has a specific style of arts and culture. Various people from different ethnic groups as Madurese, Javanese, Osing, Banjarese, Bugis and others, mix in this town. Therefore, various dialects and languages of different ethnic groups are heard spoken in this town. Yet, in general, most of them understand and speak Javanese.
One of the ethnic has quite unique traditional culture and arts. The name of this ethnic is “Osing”.
Osing ethnic group are regarded to be the descendants of Majapahit refugees, when Majapahit was overthrown in the thirteenth century. Some of the specific traditional culture and arts such as “Gandrung Banyuwangi”, “Seblang”, and “Barong Dances”. Gandrung dance is performed in festivals and in folk or public rituals and formal ceremonies, because it is now regarded as a formal dance that symbolizes Banyuwangi city. Seblang is a “sacred” dance performed only in certain rituals on Friday, the third week of month. Seblang dance originates from Bakungan community, in Olehsari village, which is six kilometers from Banyuwangi city. This dance is also performed in the “Village-cleaning” ceremony or upacara “Bersih desa”. This ceremony is carried out every year, because the people there believe that if the ceremony is not carried out there would be some disaster that befalls the villagers. Seblang dancers can be performed only by the descendants of previous Seblang dancers. Not any women are allowed to perform Seblang dance. The dancers should be in trance when they dance. The Seblang ceremony in the coming year will be in May or June 1996. The another culture is Wedding Ceremony
June 19th, 2006
A legend recounts how the town of Banyuwangi got its name.
Based on a traditional Javanese poem, or kidung, which was probably composed sometime during the 14th century, the story is about the ill fated lovers Sidapaksha and his beautiful wife Sri Tanjung.
One version from Banyuwangi goes something like this:
Sidapaksha, a nobleman in the service of the king of Sindureja, married a woman of lower caste named Sri Tanjung. The union, however, was unacceptable to Sidapaksha’s mother, who felt that her son had married someone whose status was beneath his. In order to destroy the relationship, therefore, she arranged with the king to have Sidapaksha sent away on a long and difficult mission to Mt. Ijen. His task was to search for a legendary flower, possession of which would grant eternal youth to its owner. He was to bring back the flower and present it to the queen. Sadly but dutifully the young man obeyed the king’s command, knowing that he would probably be away for a long time and would thus be unable to witness the birth of his first child. Not long after Sidapaksha’s departure, Sri Tanjung gave birth to a baby boy. The wicked mother-in-law, however, seeing an opportunity to fulfill the second part of her plan, stole the child while Sri Tanjung was bathing and cast the infant into the river which flowed nearby. Then, when Sidapaksha returned after some months, successful in his mission, she informed him that Sri Tanjung herself had murdered his son.
In anger, Sidapaksha immediately confronted his wife and demanded an explanation, threatening to kill her. Sri Tanjung, by now already weak and sick from grief, simply asked her husband to carry her to the river, where she would prove her innocence. Uncertain as to who to believe, Sidapaksha eventually agreed to his wife’s request and took her to the river bank, from where she threw herself into the water and drowned. Then, a few moments later, when Sidapaksha sat in anguish on the bank, two pure white, sweet smelling flowers floated by and told him the true story, after which they vanished, leaving only their fragrance; hence the name banyu (water), wangi (sweet smelling).
Although nowadays Blambangan is the name given to the peninsula encompassing the South Banyuwangi National Park, it was in the past a kingdom of its own right, extending almost as far as the Tengger Range and Mt. Bromo. Historically, it was the last size able kingdom to withstand the pressure of Islam and did not officially convert until the 17th century. Even today this part of Java supports a fairly large Hindu community, which celebrates the traditional holidays of Nyepi, Galungan and Kuningan in much the same way as in Bali.
Vestiges of the ancient culture of Blambangan can be seen in the Gandrung and Seblang dances, which are still performed, although in an adapted form, on ceremonial and festive occasions. The former is a classical dance in honour of Dewi Sri, Hindu goddess of fertility. Originally performed by men, the last hundred years have seen a change over to female dancers. The Seblang is a sacred dance form which is still found in the villages of Bakungan and Oleh Sari, which lie three and six kilometers respectively from Banyuwangi.
Nyai Roro Kidul is the legendary goddess of the southern ocean, firmly believed in by coastal dwellers and at least accepted by the majority of Javanese. Whatever her origins, which may well date back to the pre-Hindu period, the goddess is a vital force in traditional Javanese culture. So important is she, in fact, that since the founding of the Central Javanese kingdom of Mataram in the 16th century, every sultan of Yogyakarta and Surakarta has sought her protection and has been ‘mystically’ married to her. Her realm extends along the entire southern coast of Java and when it is time to pay tribute to her at the annual sea festivals, official religion has to give way to her demands. The main object of these festivals, or petik laut as they are called in south eastern Java, is to ask for safe passage on the fierce and turbulent ocean, as well as pray for a bountiful catch in the forthcoming year. Well known petik laut occur at Pancer Beach, Pesanggaran in June, as well as at Muncar and Blimbingsari beaches in August. Another festival connected with the sea takes place at Cacalan beach, close to the town of Banyuwangi, in October. Annual Hindu festivals also occur close to the sea. Celebration of Hari Raya Siwa Lastri, Nyepi (Mikiyis), Kuningan and Saraswati can be seen at Grajagan, Pulau Merah (Pesanggaran), Tambakrejo and Lampon Beach (Pesanggaran) respectively. Activities at these festivals typically include ritual bathing, placing of offerings (flowers, fruit, sometimes goats’ heads) and a variety of traditional performances.
June 16th, 2006
GENERAL CONDITION
Geographical Location
Banyuwangi district is the most eastern part of East Java province, which covers the land area of 5,782.50 square km and lies between 7 degrees 43′ - 6 degrees 46′ south latitude and 113 degrees 51′ - 114 degrees 38′ east longitude.
It is about 285 km from Surabaya and about 160 km from Ngurah Rai Airport of Denpasar, Bali. The trip from Surabaya to Banyuwangi can be done by bus or by train. Going by bus, we will pass beautiful panorama on the way, because we shall pass “Bentar Beach” in Probolinggo, “Pasir Putih Beach” in Situbondo, and the popular “Baluran Forests National Park” with various preserved flora and fauna such as bulls, wild buffaloes, boars, deer and tigers.
This district is bordered on:
the north: Situbondo and Bondowoso districts
the east : Bali Strait
the south: Indonesian Ocean
the west : Jember and Bondowoso districts
Government Administrative Structure.
Government of Banyuwangi district administratively structured into:
5 District Assistance
5 Sub-district Assistance
19 Sub-districts
24 villages in urban area
151 villages in rural area
People Economic Activity.
Most of Banyuwangi resident are living in rural areas and working in agriculture sector for their living since the land of this district is dominated by agriculture area. In general the people of Banyuwangi district make their living from the following sectors:
a. Agriculture : 30.72 %
b. Industry : 1.51 %
c. Trade : 5.64 %
d. Services : 3.81 %
e. Others : 58.32 %
June 16th, 2006
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