NOW, just behind or south of Pawon Cave, there is one more cave. Its name is the Cave of Prostration. Regarding the name, there's not much we can say. There is a guess, the name was recently given. That's because the cave is often used as a location for rituals and remembrance. The positions of the Pawon Caves and Pasujudan Caves as well as Sadong Caves and Capil Caves are very similar. Same with Capil Cave which is behind Sadong Cave with a higher position, Pasujudan Cave is behind Pawon Cave also with a higher position.
The distance between Pawon Cave and Pasujudan is close, even very close. Not even one minute walk has arrived. Same with Sadong Cave and Cooperative, The mouth of Pasujudan Cave is very narrow. as wide as an adult's body. But, the inside is not so wide, just a few people. that too with a squat position. The roof is not too high, so that in that cave we can't stand. The bottom of the Pasujudan Cave is soil. So, if dug, maybe deeper. What is clear is that Pasujudan Cave has two doors, up and down.
The upper door faces south and the lower door faces east. The bottom door is wider. The expedition team still suspected that the caves found in Cemoro Hamlet were hiding caves for the Blambangan troops during the Bayu War.. Especially in an effort to surround the Dutch who set up camp in Anderwono. But, related to Pasujudan Cave, maybe there is another function. Because, the width and height of the cave are not the same as Sadong Cave and Koperasi. “Can be used as a reconnaissance and a distraction.
What is clear is that it is still not far from its function as a hiding place. But, Again, this is just a guess,” said John Rahmatulloh expedition member. Meanwhile, Head of Tourism at the Banyuwangi Culture and Tourism Office, Darihano called, Cemoro Hamlet is a historic village. He appreciated this expedition which he found very interesting. There are new conjectures that appear, despite the need for more in -depth study by its experts.
Clear, a joint expedition of Java Pas Radar Banyuwangi and the Blambangan Arts Council (DKB) has added to the public's belief that the caves in Cemoro Hamlet have a very high historical value. “Not only valuable for Banyuwangi, but also for Indonesia,” he said. The man who is also a member of the DKB hopes that the people of Banyuwangi are not blind to their history and culture. The cheap -smiling man also hoped that Balak Village would be named a “historical village? If not set as “historical village there are fears that historical evidence in the village is lost.
Remember, the land where the caves are located is privately owned. "If the owner dismantles the admiration, it will only be a memory". Lantas, What if our children and grandchildren want to know the history of their ancestors against the Dutch?,” he said. Meanwhile, John Rahmatullah mentioned. historical evidence found in Cemoro Hamlet must be integrated with historical evidence in other locations. So that, will become a unit that can be learned by the community. He guessed, Historical evidence related to the Bayu War is not only found in Balak Village.
In other villages of course there are, like in the village ?the moans and their surroundings whether it be a trap moat or the remains of a stronghold have therefore, he admits that expeditions need to be carried out. “Set integration, it can be an interesting historical tour package for the community and Radar Banyuwangi is able to open the public regarding things that have been hidden deliberately hidden,” said the DKB pub commission member. On the other hand, Fatah Yasin explained, War is an extraordinary war. on the other hand, Fatah Yasin Noor explained, The Wind War was an extraordinary war.
Involving a lot of people and in a long time, about three years. That's one achievement, because the weapons used by both parties are not balanced. The Dutch used firearms and heavy weapons, like a cannon. Blambangan troops under the command of Jogopati only armed with kris, spear, and spiky bamboo. After the Bayu War, he guessed, The Dutch deliberately cut off the Blambangan generation. So that, Banyuwangi people must explore their own past with the empirical hall.
If not, Banyuwangi people will remain ignorant about the past and who its ancestors are except for the VOC version. Based on the observations of the expedition team, The Netherlands doesn't really tell much about the White Tiger Palace, including the heroism of Agongwilis and Jogopati against them. The Dutch seem to have deliberately cut off the generations after the Bayu War with the generations before the war. “Now, many don't know who Ageng Wilis is, Jogopati, and Sayu Wiwit, remind, October is the perfect time to take a step back, contemplation, and remembering the ancestors of Blambangan.
Because, October 1772 is a very stressful month the village is burned, splattered blood, and tears were shed. The head of the Blambangan troop who had been beheaded and separated from the body was hanged and displayed on the roadside. Based on our literature search, Fatah Yasin's opinion is not without basis. Even, there is literature that says that from 65.000 Blambangan people who lived at that time, only left 5.000 soul. That's even more women and children. Plus the prisoners who were seriously ill from the war.
Many sources call the Bayu War a historic and phenomenal war against colonialism. But, can't be denied, the evening escaped the history lessons taught in the school benches. Even, there is literature that says that the Bayu War was the first war against the Dutch. “Though the source needs to be proven accurate, What is clear is that we must be proud to be Wong Blambangan.
Before others fight, we have fought. It means that our ancestors' thinking is sharper. “sure, we are braver,” concluded the famous Banyuwangi poet. John Rahmatulloh added, based on history, Agung Wilis' struggle was really terrible. “I realized again that in the past our ancestors were really powerful in fighting. Hopefully the spirit of the Blambangan heroes can be a valuable lesson that sticks in the heart, especially for the people of Blambangan to advance the region,” he concluded. (radar)
