from the Kawisari Plantation, East Java
During the Dutch colonial era, factory workers at the Kawisari Plantation, East Java took coffee breaks between their shifts. Sitting huddled together, they enjoyed hot cups of coffee served with traditional Javanese snacks. Villagers usually sang uplifting songs and danced to entertain these tired workers.
The unique tradition is now being revived by the Hotel Tugu group. The exotic ‘Babah Coffee’, which has been produced in the Kawisari Plantation since 1845 is served in all their restaurants and hotel outlets in Jakarta, Bali, Malang and Blitar. The accompanying snacks include boiled or fried bananas, roasted corn and various delectable Javanese cakes.
Kawisari is also known as the Babah Coffee Plantation is an 850 hectare plantation producing coffee beans, rubber and clove and is currently considered as one of the best plantations owned by private companies in East Java.
Upon request, Hotel Tugu Malang and Hotel Tugu Blitar will arrange for plantation tours, in which a group of 25 persons will be taken to see the production of aromatic coffee beans, walk around the vast plantation area while enjoying the magnificent view of Mount Kelud and Mount Kawi and the cool mountain climate. Old wooden carts will serve different brews of coffee in diminutive cups for tasting.
Mount Kawi has always been famous as one of the holy places where people can pray for wealth or fame and was especially famous among Indonesian government officials in the past. Villagers will perform uro-uro (Javanese songs with traditional percussion instruments) while you enjoy delicious snacks.
Jakarta Java Kini Magazine
June 4th, 2007
In Maduranese culture, saronen ensemble was traditionally used for accompanying a procession, and it still has this function today. This is due to a number of factors, the most important of which is because saronen contains elements of virtuosity that make it attractive to the audience. The second factor is that it is a portable ensemble, making it a very practical choice for accompanying a procession, in which the players not only play the ensemble but also dance as they join in the procession.
Reasons for selection
Saronen is actually the name of a wind instrument with a sharp, loud, and shrill sound, which is the only instrument that plays the melody in this ensemble. The other instruments, although tuned instruments, have the function of creating a melodic frame, and in addition the kendang (a membranophone)complements the melody with its attractive rhythmic patterns. The musicians dance while playing their instruments. Saronen is uniquely performed and used in a social event called Sapi Sono and Karapan Sapi only in Madura island, part of East Java province, Indonesia.
Area where performed
Madura Island (part of East Java province)
Essential elements of the performing art
Music, Dance
Contest
Detailed explanation
In Maduranese culture, saronen ensemble was traditionally used for accompanying a procession, and it still has this function today. This is due to a number of factors, the most important of which is because saronen contains elements of virtuosity that make it attractive to the audience. The second factor is that it is a portable gamelan, making it very practical choice for accompanying a procession, in which the players not only play the gamelan but also dance as they join in the procession. This in turn increases its attraction for those watching.
The saronen is usually performed to accompany the journey of a bridegroom to the bride’s house during a ritual part of the wedding ceremony in which the bridegroom hands over srah-srahan or wealth such as clothes, farm produce, livestock and money, as his payment to his bride’s family. The bridegroom and his elders walk at the front and the gamelan saronen players behind, performing music of a strong, masculine nature throughout the journey. Behind them follow the rest of the procession, people carrying the srah-srahan. Only a single saronen ensemble is required for this ceremony, unlike a procession connected with cows, where dozens of saronen ensembles are played together.
Cows mean everything to the people of Madura. They take great care looking after their cows and cows are symbol of prosperity in the community despite the fact that the cow farming industry does not bring much financial income for them. In addition to cow farming, the Maduranese are also tobacco farmers and it is that which provides them with most of their income. With this money, they are able to pursue their hobby of cow farming. There are basically two large cow festivals. Firstly, Karapan, which is a bull race, and secondly Sapi Sono, a beauty contest for the best cow. Both in Karapan and Sapi Sono, the chosen cows are grouped in pairs. In Karapan, it is a race of speed among the pairs; in Sapi Sono, the better looking and more obedient among the pairs. In both festivals, a procession takes place with the cows that are to compete, when they enter the field from the main road leading towards the stalls inside the competition arena. The second procession is held just before the competition begins, showing off the cows to the spectators by parading them around the arena two or three times.
Institution/organisation involved in preservation and promotion
1. Directorate for the Arts, Department of National Education.
2. Department of National Education, Province of East Java.
Data provider
Dr. Sri Hastanto
Director for the Arts
Directorate for the Arts, Directorate General for Culture, Department of National Education
Address: Gedung E Lantai-9 Komplek Depdikbud, Jalan Jenderal Sudirman, Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia
Asia-Pacific Database on Intangible Cultural Heritage(ICH)
June 4th, 2007