East Java Tourism News

Seblang Bakungan

The purpose of this performance is the same as the Seblang Olehsari. However, the performance is shorter; Seblang Bakungan is performed for only one night. It is organized after one night of Idul Adha (an Islamic holiday). Seblang Bakungan is performed after the evening prayer. The people parade around the village carrying torches. An old woman dances in the Seblang Bakungan in front of Sanggar (a small stage used as a place for some seeds). After being put into a trance, the dancer is possessed by the Seblang spirit. She dances while following the tone of the music and the songs. There are 12 songs in the performance. The songs tell about the rebellion against the Dutch colonialists. The performance finishes in the middle of the night after the performance of “Adol Kembang” (selling flowers). The spectators, then, snatch away the seeds, plants and wind mill on the stage which is called “sanggar”.

Patrol Traditional Performance
Patrol is the typical ethnic music of Banyuwangi where all the musical instruments are made of Bamboo. They are katir, gong kemput, angklung renteng, kethuk, kendhang and flute. This composition is a culture activity of the native Banyuwanginese. The patrolis is performed during a night of the fasting month (Ramadhan:based on the calendar of Islam). The main purpose of the performance is to guard the village and wake the people up to eat sahur. The songs are taken from the Kitab Berjanji and are traditional songs of Banyuwangi. Groups from all of the villages in Banyuwangi participat in the festival of Patrol Music.  A musical group is comprise of 15 persons.

source :wwweastjava.com

Add comment January 11th, 2007

Gandrung Traditional Art

The government of Banyuwangi gives special attention to the art of Gandrung. The purpose of this is to encourage the spirit of local ethnicity that will in turn increase the development of tourism. For this reason, Gandrung was determined to be the mascot of tourism in Banyuwangi according to the Banyuwangi Regency Decision, Number 173 in 2002.

The word “Gandrung” comes from the Javanese word that means “desperately in love”. It means that they are in love with the goddess of the rice paddy, Dewi Sri, that brings prosperity to the people of Banyuwangi who are mostly employed as farmers.  In gratitude for the good harvest, the people organize a performance which is called “Gandrung” because the farmers were in love with the goddess of the rice paddy.

The Gandrung performance used to be performed at night, running from 09 PM until 04 AM. This traditional art   is performed during the day as well to especially welcome distinguished guests.

source : www.eastjava.com

Add comment January 11th, 2007

BANYUWANGI AT A GLANCE

Banyuwangi is the eastern-most regency of East Java. To the north lies the regency of Situbondo.  The regencies of Jember and Bondowoso neighbor Banyuwangi to the west.  To the east lies the island of Bali and to the west lies the Indonesian Ocean. Banyuwangi is situated on the coordinate 70 45’ 15” S and 113’ 38.2” E. Because of its location, Banyuwangi has diverse natural scenery, rich art, culture, customs and traditions.

The beauty of nature is spread across Banyuwangi from the west to the east. Mountains, forests and beaches mark the landscape of the regency. For instance, Ijen Crater, in the western part of Banyuwangi is famous for its beautiful crater lake, the traditional sulfur miners who amazingly climb up and down the slope of Mount Merapi, and the plantations that cover the Crater’s slope.  The National Park of Meru Betiri is famous for its Java Tiger and turtles.  These locations form the center of the Tourism Developed area which is called the Diamond Triangle, which connects one Tourism Object to another.

Banyuwangi also has various art, culture, customs and traditions. One of the typical arts of Banyuwangi is Gandrung, a welcoming dance for distinguished guests. The dance is the defining dance of Banyuwangi. Besides Gandrung, Seblang, Kuntulan, Damarwulan, Angklung, Ketoprak, Barong, Kendang Kempul, Jaranan are arts that can be seen in Banyuwangi.  Other customs that can be observed in Banyuwangi include the sea offering, metik (a celebration performed before rice and coffee harvesting), Rebo Wekasan, Kebo Visit Banyuwangi the Real Tropical Country keboan, Ruwatan, Tumplek punjen, Gredoan, Endog-endogan, etc. These events are performed every year and are included in the Calendar of Events of Banyuwangi.  The typical handicrafts and traditional foods are available across Banyuwangi. The products and places that should be visited are Batik Tulis at Temenggungan and Tempo, Bamboo handicraft at Kecamatan Rogojampi and Kalipuro, etc. Banyuwangi also has typical food products; such as bagiak, selai pisang (banana jam) etc.

There native people of Banyuwangi are Banyuwanginese.  They have their own dialect which combines the languages of Javanese and Balinese.  Ethnic Javanese, Madurese, Balinese and people from Banjar also call Banyuwangi home. The diverse natural scenery, the rich art, culture, customs and traditions, constitute worthy treasures that must be introduced to all people.  The people of Banyuwangi and the local government will be supported and benefited by tourism.  The income from tourism will provide the capital to develop the regency of Banyuwangi.  Tourists will also benefit from their rich experiences as they visit Banyuwangi.

source : www.baliblog.com

Add comment January 11th, 2007