Culture "War of the Torch" Culture Of Jepara, Central Java, IND

Culture "War of the Torch" Culture Of Jepara, Central Java, IND

History

At the time of the Kingdom of Demak, reputedly Tegalsambi Village, Jepara, lived a wealthy farmer named Kiai Babadan which has lots of buffalo and cattle. Of course he can not own cattle-livestock mengembalakan. He then asked the neighbor who called Ki gemblong to graze their livestock.

Although heavy, Ki gemblong undertakes this work. But Ki gemblong not perform work in accordance with kesanggupanya. Instead he abandoned buffalo and cattle owned by Kiai Babadan so that the animals become emaciated and sickly.

At the beginning it Ki gemblong can still hide the situation. But eventually Kiai Babadan know. He became furious when he saw that the condition of his cattle are thin and sickly that dibabkan by the deliberate negligence by Ki gemblong. Therefore kegeramannya a peak, then beat Ki Kiai Babadan gemblong using the torch of palm midrib.

Receive such treatment, the Ki gemblong did not stay silent. He also immediately took the coconut leaf midrib to melanjutnya lit a torch to deal with Kiai Babadan. Thus, there was the battle or war between Kiai Babadan torch and Ki gemblong.

Instead of getting down, the longer this fight semaki fierce. He called the fight resulted in the burning barn cow and buffalo. All of the animals in the cages were finally ran helter-skelter in fear. However strange that cattle originally berpenyakitan even be cured. After knowing the fact that way they both finally end their fighting.

Based on oral tradition that developed among the people Tegalsambi, since then, the descendants of Kyai Babadan and Ki gemblong then performs a ceremonial torch of war was intended to ward off any evil spirits that bring disease. The ceremony was also equipped with leather puppet. There is a procession for parading heritage (Sword Gendir Podang Gambang Sari and Sari, a statue, and a perforated drum) is believed to be the legacy of Sunan Kalijaga to Kebayan Tegalsambi. Both the wooden sword, it is said, is a splinter of wood used to build Mosque Demak

The symbols ceremony

Utma equipment needed in the war torch ceremony is dried coconut leaf midrib (blarak). Also keep the required dry banana leaves as a propellant mixture of coconut leaves. Mixed dried coconut leaf midrib with banana leaves are then laid out a certain form that can be used to hit or stab the opponent. Clothing that is used today already use a special uniform for the occasion.

At this time the "player" tends to wear clothing that can protect their bodies from the blow torch that can make your skin blister. So the torch equipment made from palm leaves and dried banana leaf is mememang equipment in accordance with what is described in the legend of Kyai Babadan and Ki gemblong.

While the torch can present a symbol which is a tool to ward off the evil forces that bring in diseases and various other disastrous mala. Other equipment used were a few things that are considered sacred by villagers Tegalsambi who paraded at the war torch procession will take place is a statue, two wooden sword, and drum.

Procession ritual

War of the torch was carried by about 50 villagers. If the skin blisters or bruises gebuk hit by the war, the wounds can be healed in an instant with a smear of water londoh. By local people this was seen as a miracle from God. This sort of thing is not only believed by ordinary people but also from the head of the village. However, the village would not explain londoh water was coming from where and what the formula.

Usually the ceremony is conducted in Zulhijjah, Pon right Tuesday night. Before the torch of war event started, first held salvation in seven places Tegalsambi sacred by the community. Once it is done slaughtering a buffalo bull that has not been used for plowing. Slaughter is done in village headman's house. At 17:30 am (ahead of Tuesday night Pon) One of the village (usually bayan / security section) put offerings (such kendil blood contains buffalo, some offal, and meat are cooked). By at 20:00 pm, all the way to a house filled with thousands of visitors both officials from the local village and other villages. Before the torch lit on fire at 20:00 pm, officials torch paraded by troops from his home down to the center of the ceremony, in the middle of the village road refinement. Officers wearing traditional Javanese dress, flanked by two handlers fire and village elders.

Exactly at 20:00 ceremonial torch war began. The participants wear a special uniform shoes and covered his head. Pleading prayers blessing to the ladies (the ruler of the earth Tegalsambi) was performed. Incense was burned, then accompanied gising Kebo Giro, 50 people from the four majors in the village street perampatan burst onto the street with a lit torch blarak. Berlaangsung War began and for nearly an hour.

In accordance ceremonial torch war many members of his wounded troops torch blisters. About an hour "battle" over the troops go directly to the village headman's house to treat the wound with water and development of the heritage village called Ki Songgo Lane who ruwat home village head.