SONGGON – A number of communities and observers of history from Horseshoe and Bali, held a workshop to discuss the Puputan Bayu War yesterday (23/7). The activity was carried out at the Rowo Bayu Tourism Forest, Bayu Village, Songgon District.
The workshop was attended by humanists and historians from the Blambangan Arts Council (DKB) and Sengker Kuwung Blambangan. The event was driven by Banjoewangie Tempo Doeloe (BTD) and Blambangan Kindom X-Plorer, also invited the historical community from Jember, Situbondo, and Lumajang.
They examined the facts contained in the book History of Java by the Lieutenant Governors of Java and Sumatra, Sir Thomas Stanford Rafless. In the discussion that was going on gayeng, There are many facts that were not known until now.
“In the Puputan Bayu War, the Dutch sent thousands of soldiers and brought two mortar cannons, rebels (Bayu soldiers) his weapons aren't just spears and swords, but also carry cannon,” said Samsubur, one of the speakers who parsed the Dutch version.
In that battle, light him, Mas Rempeg's followers numbered 2.000 head of family (KK), come with him to the hermitage of sodong or sadong cave, and I'm depressed. “The sadong cave and the pressure are still there,” said the author of the book History of the Blambangan Kingdom.
As a result of the puputan war, The population of Blambangan has decreased quite a lot. In year 1750 there is 80 thousand souls. being yearned 1881 just stay 8.000 soul. “This reduction has many opinions, some call the dissolving system or genocide (massacre).
Mas Aji Wirabumi from BTD said that the fact that Blambangan's population is decreasing has not yet become the main topic of discussion among the people.. “The people of Banyuwangi are still focused on the Puputan Bayu and Harjaba War,” clear.
From Sumono Abdul Hamid's paper referring to facts in the book History of Java, it is clear that there is a large-scale reduction in population. This reduction could be due to several things, such as population displacement due to slavery or other causes.
But, findings that are close to the truth lead to the reduction because of the massacre by Dutch soldiers. “Let the people know that there has been an eradication of Moringa or some kind of genocide,” clear.
The population reduction data, considered quite serious. Especially if you remember that the Blambangan area is not only limited to the Banyuwangi Regency area as it is today. But, to several areas that were early known as the Horseshoe.
"The area of the Blambangan Kingdom whose people were slaughtered is not only Banyuwangi, but also in Situbondo, Lumajang, Probolinggo, and the surrounding area,” clear. Meanwhile cultural observers from DKB, Hassan Basri, the current history does not contain a detailed history of the Blambangan people's resistance.
Even, in the fourth chapter of the history of the archipelago which tells the history of the archipelago's wars, the Blambangan resistance was not written down. "We have a history baboon book, why this great history is not included in the history book?" he said.
So, he continued, it's time for all good elements of the government, academy, and the private sector are jointly studying this history. All of that for the sake of historical facts of the nation that have not been revealed. “We must include the holy war of Blambangan history in history,” he said.
Head of the Banyuwangi Regency Tourism and Culture Office, M. Yanuarto Bramuda through the Head of Culture, Choliqul Ridho hopes that this kind of workshop will give rise to recommendations that can be followed up by the Banyuwangi Regency Government.
“I want this event to have results and recommendations,he explained. This is to support the performance and programs of the Department of Tourism and Culture in carrying out strengthening in the field of tourism and history.
“Year 2018 we will plan a historical tour, we will dig into history,” he said. (radar)
