Oseng residents are known as an agrarian society which is still showing its past traditions. One of those traditions is panjer kiling. Until now, one of the heritages of the agrarian architectural tradition is still developing among the people.
Panjer kiling is a tradition of local wisdom that still survives and is passed down from generation to generation until now. In Oseng, manjer or panjer means 'support made of large bamboo sticks'.
Manjer kiling means to set up a windmill with a support made of large bamboo. Manjer kiling is a tradition of the Oseng people by setting up a windmill in the middle of a rice field.
The mill is made of wooden slats mounted on tall bamboo poles. Kiling makes a rumbling sound when blown by the wind. This tool is used to repel birds in the middle of rice fields.
Abdul Rifai |, 62, residents of West Kemiren Hamlet, Kemiren Village says, If the description of the social and economic status of a resident of Oseng can be seen from the mill. Oseng residents, especially those who live in Kemiren Village, are rich in wide-spread rice fields.
Those who belong to the rich or well -respected, has a large kiling and is placed in a high position. “Usually, the mill with the largest size is placed in a large house too. This indicates the owner's social status,Said Rifai.
When the kiling is installed on the panjer and is blown by the wind, The mill kept spinning. The harder the wind blows, the harder it spins. So that it produces a hissing sound. Its whirring sound reaches a radius of two kilometers if the length of the propeller is more than one meter.
The mill is made of wood, the shape is unique to the Oseng people. The typical Oseng windmill is supported by a buffer called a panjeran. Made of big bamboo sticks.
Panjer Kiling was established in the rice fields with the aim of repelling birds that are pests of rice. The establishment of a mill in the middle of the rice fields is very beneficial for farmers and affects rice production for the community. With the panjer kiling, It's easier for farmers to protect the rice fields because not a lot of rice is being damaged by birds.
"Because of good harvests, more will be produced and improve the welfare of the people in their economy","said the man who is also a lover of antiques.
The kiling parts have their own meaning. The two sides of the mill are made differently. The top is made long and slightly bent and produces a sound when mounted on a panjer. This symbolizes the men or so-called kiling lanang.
While the bottom is made short and straight which symbolizes women or commonly called kiling wadon. The long kiling part that symbolizes men is the center of the loudest kiling sound.
This shows that there are differences between men and women. Where men are stronger than women. Men must be able to guide their families with the right words and actions. Meanwhile, women become the balancer of the family and must obey the family leader.
Besides that, The kiling which is bordered in the middle so that it looks like it is divided into two parts also symbolizes the two shahada sentences. It shows the religious aspect of the people as a sense of gratitude to God Almighty for the sustenance given through their rice fields..
The panjer made of large bamboo has its own purpose. Panjer is a buffer that symbolizes robustness. Bamboo is a type of wood that is strong and has many benefits.
This illustrates the strong sense of kinship of the Kemiren Village residents in all things, especially mutual cooperation. Besides that, panjer consists of one betel nut and four bamboo. The support or panjer that uses the five stems symbolizes the pillars of Islam.
The social and religious aspects are very deep in panjer kiling. This is so that in the establishment of the mill it can provide benefits and bring good luck because the establishment process is not easy and everything symbolizes goodness.
The manjer kiling tradition is a way that has been entrenched in Oseng residents. This manager killing tradition is devoted to agriculture. So that this tradition is not separated from other traditions, but it is a union with several other arts in Banyuwangi such as the art of seblang bakungan, Poor Alas Malang, and also gandrung dance.
These arts carry a theme which is generally a form of gratitude for the results of agriculture and plantations.(radar)
