The Unique Cultures In West Java That You Must Know! (Article by Lucky Lusiana 1730911001)



West Java is located on the island of Java bordering with DKI Jakarta, Banten and Central Java Province. Capital City of West Java is Bandung. Every region in Indonesia have a culture that is characterizes the area, especially West Java. West Java Province have many the variety of cultures. Cultures in West Java is more influenced by two cultures that is Sundanesse Culture and Cirebon Culture. Sundanesse Culture are developing at the Sundanesse land level, Pasundan land and Priangan land. There are many cultures in West Java but only three interesting cultures that is, Papajar, Samenan and Sérén Taun.
1.      Papajar

Papajar is tradtition for welcoming Ramdhan month. Uniquely the tradition who didn't even known since when it started and who is founder. The tradition not related to rituals and worship. Just eating tradition on vacation spots or hometown. Since childhood I often hear the word “papajar” but I don’t know what does it mean of “papajar”. When I was a teenager I had understood that papajar always did for welcoming Ramadhan month. According to Sundanesse people, it’s not complete if they start Ramadhan without papajar before. So they went to somewhere with their group for satisfying eating and vacation. In my hometown, most of people did papajar went to Pelabuhan Ratu beach, they spend time with their family or friends. Maybe not all of West Java did papajar, maybe only rich people rarely didn’t the tradition.
2.      Samenan

Samenan is a party who did once a year for celebrate grade promotion. All of teachers, students, parents, even the youth participate in this event. This event not only awaited by students who celebrate but this event awaited by society. The most striking of this event is cavalcade. Cavalcade tradition is take to the streets by displaying society creations and marching band. I think the most eagerly awaited and popular in samenan is marching band performance, of course marching band really interesting and entertaining. Ya of course! There is a lot of controversy for this event, there are some people who felt disturbed because it makes the traffic jams and there are some people who realy enjoyed with this event. Uniquely, in my hometown there is another tradition at the time samenan, that is “brawl between villages”.
Of course this has became a tradition and it happenes every a years. I ever heard a story from people that the caused of this brawl is about football supporters, lol. So in my hometown there is tradition in tradition. 
3.      Sérén Taun/Sedekah Bumi

I had visited Kp.Nagrak, Cibadak for interview ancestor about Sérén Taun before. I think Sérén Taun in this village quite interested because compactness from society itself. After I visited this village the results are quite satisfying, all of society are really friendly. The tradition has been going on for a long time and has became some culture in this villages. The purpose of Sérén Taun for thanks giving to Allah swt for the crops. What is the produced? Of course there are many crops, like corn, rice, cassava, sweet potato, fruits, vegetables and all the ingredients that can be produced into food. Sérén Taun did every 1 Muharram or Islamic New Year. All of the society in droves brought their crops to the village meeting hall for gather with their neighbor. After all society gather, its better for prayer together. The unique after pray, they make offerings for their ancestors but they said, its nothing to do with confidence, just appreciate it. After all the rituals has finished, it’s time for them to tasted crops each other.

Komentar