BANYUWANGI- Banyuwangi's typical cultural and arts performances at the Kuwung Festival successfully attracted the attention of thousands of visitors yesterday (14/12). Apart from being witnessed by thousands of residents of Bumi Blambangan, a number of important guests from outside the region were also involved in the Banyuwangi cultural variety show. Even though it is held regularly every year, The excitement of the Kuwung Festival is increasingly enchanting and attracting people's attention. This year's packaging is different from previous years' festivals.
One that is different from last year, spectators and the marchers were separated by a giant gate made of bamboo. The giant gate was only opened when the procession was about to pass in front of the stage of honor. Besides that, the dancers who presented various cultural and artistic themes appeared more attractive. The fresh costumes and beautiful dance moves made the audience even more enchanted. Yesterday's Kuwung Festival opened with Luk-luk Lumbu music.
After that, Regent Abdullah Azwar Anas handed over a yellow godhowesi to the Minak Jinggo figure as a sign of the start of the Kuwung Festival. Once Minak Jinggo passed, hundreds of dancers entered the arena. They performed the Sampur Jingga Blambangan dance. The dance, which tells the story of the beginning of the emergence of gandrung dance, displays gandrung dance starting from seblang dance, boys and girls.
The gandrung lanang dance, which tells the story of the gandrung dancer Marsan as the last man in love, was warmly welcomed by the audience. The opening series was followed by a performance by the Banyuwangi Regency Government corsic drum band which accompanied the best BEC performance 2013. Then, as a form of respect, The first line of the parade in a row is the cultural arts of neighboring regions, Yes, this is Kediri Regency, Ponorogo Regency, and Pro Bolinggo City.
The guest's appearance further enriched the Kuwung Festival. It's as if the event is an East Java arts and culture attraction. Interesting, Mayor of Probolinggo Buchori and 15 Head of the Probolinggo City Department took part in the art defi le held to greet the people of Banyuwangi. The mayor, who will soon step down, took part in the cultural parade until it finished at Blambangan Park. The main event of the Kuwung Festival began with a historical presentation with the theme Agul-agule Wong Agung Wilis.
This theme was presented creatively by the performers. The dances and theatrical actions that are presented make the audience transported to the atmosphere of the war between Wong Agung Wilis and the VOC in Bumi Blambangan.. The theatricality becomes even more interesting with the sound of gunshots and bombs. The audience is increasingly imagining how fierce the battle of the Banyuwangi heroes was at that time. Next, The line of creative industries presents the Dudu Jajang Kambang theme. Bamboo crafts ranging from household furniture to home interior accessories are displayed on decorative cars.
The dancers in this march use bamboo as accessories, both hair accessories and bracelets and necklaces. These accessories further enhance their appearance. The agro-tourism parade features the Coastal Manis Wetan theme. What they describe is the activities of coastal communities begging for safety while earning a living at sea. The next line is barong. Dozens of Barong waddled along the show's catwalk.
Meanwhile, the traditional line shows the procession of the Banyuwangi Government. In the file, a battle of war is displayed, namely a talent competition that must be carried out by the groom's family because the prospective bride is the youngest child. In addition to the Osing custom, The procession also displays various Kemanten customs among the Banyuwangi people, such as Java and Madura.
In the final section, the theme of the tourist attraction is displayed, entitled Red Island Paradise. In the last part, the hatchling dance is shown (baby turtle) performed by child dancers. Besides that, There was also a theatrical surfing sport which was demonstrated beautifully by the young people of Red Island. “We will continue to develop the region. We will also maintain our culture,"said Regent Anas.
After the show, Regent Anas together with members of Forpimda and SKPD walked along the route taken by carnival participants. The Regent was warmly welcomed by thousands of Banyuwangi residents. This year's Kuwung Festival was attended by the Mayor of Probolinggo H. Buchori, Head of the East Java Province Disbudpar Wiwiek Widayati, there is also a Vice President of PT. Telkom Indonesia Java and Bali Agus Mulyadi, Chairman of Perbanas Sigit Purnomo, and Bosowa Group CEO Erwin Aksa. (radar)
