BANYUWANGI – Masyarakat Desa Aliyan, Rogojampi Kecamatan District, Banyuwangi regency holds the tradition of Keboan Aliyan, Sunday (8/9/2019).
Reported from Banyuwangi, thousands of people flocked to this customary tradition to witness the ritual of asking for the abundance of the earth’s produce to the Almighty God (YME).
Keboan Aliyan is held every Suro month-Javanese calendar. A number of farmers are possessed by supernatural spirits and act like idiots (The buffalo).
They then went around the four corners of the village. Occasionally, belasan “kerbau” itu nyemplung di kubangan layaknya kerbau.
The villagers are very enthusiastic about this tradition. They gotong royong to prepare it. Starting from shoulder to shoulder preparing various needs for rituals, to building a gate from coconut leaves hanging from the earth along the village road as a symbol of fertility and prosperity. The pin mass feast is held as a sign of the start of the ritual.
“Keboan ini adalah perayaan yang dinantikan warga, we all gotong royong to prepare it. Villagers who live outside the city even take the time to go home to attend this event,” kata Kepala Desa Aliyan Anton Sujarwo.
"So, Through this tradition, we strengthen the bonds of friendship with all the villagers,” he added.
Starting in the morning, keboan begins with salvation in the four corners of the village (ider bumi). At the same time, a number of farmers who have been possessed are ready to undergo the Keboan ritual.
They then went around the village following the four winds. While walking around this village, para “kerbau” itu bertingkah layaknya siklus cocok tanam, starting from plowing the fields, irrigate, to sow rice seeds.
Meanwhile, Banyuwangi Regent Abdullah Azwar Anas who was present at the event said:, Keboan Aliyan tradition is one of the original cultural wealth of the locals.
“Pemkab mengangkat tradisi ini sebagai bagian dari Banyuwangi Festival sebagai bentuk apresiasi pada warga yang terus menjaga warisan para leluhur,said Regent Anas.
“Banyuwangi boleh maju, but we will not leave the traditions and culture in the community. This tradition is not just a routine ritual but also describes the spirit of community and mutual cooperation of the residents,he explained.
Regent Anas revealed that the development of Banyuwangi tourism cannot be separated from the variety of local cultures that are packaged into tourist attractions.
“Tradisi-tradisi ini menjadi identitas dan ciri khas yang membedakan budaya Banyuwangi dengan daerah lainnya. This potential is what we continue to encourage and develop into a regional attraction that attracts tourists," he concluded.
Just to know, the kebo-keboan tradition in Banyuwangi flourished in two villages. In addition to keboan in Aliyan Rogojampi Village, the kebo-keboan tradition is also found in Alasmalang Village, Singojuruh District, Banyuwangi Regency. (KabarBanyuwangi)
