Getting to know West Javanese Culture
Ditulis pada: July 05, 2021
Apart from language, West Javanese culture can be seen from rituals and religious customs or habits that are still preserved and used by modern Sundanese people. Some of the Sundanese cultural customs that are still used are as follows.
Some West Java Cultures
1. Seren Taun
Ceremony held or held at the end of the harvest, the name seren taun comes from the word "seren" which means surrender, submit, or receive, and "taun" which means year. So, the seren taun ceremony means accepting the past year to the next year instead.
This ceremony has a meaning as a means of expressing gratitude to God Almighty for the harvest that has been received this year. In ancient times this ceremony was dedicated to the goddess of rice in ancient Sundanese beliefs.
The areas of West Java that still hold the seren taun ceremony are Kuningan, Cisolok (Sukabumi), Bogor, Banten, and several areas in Tasikmalaya.
2. Sea Party Ceremony
This ceremony is usually held in coastal areas such as in Pelabuhan Ratu (Sukabumi) and Pangandaran Beach (Ciamis). In this ceremony, the boat, the boat used for fishing is decorated in colorful colors and given an offering on it in the form of a buffalo head wrapped in white cloth.
This ceremony is meaningful as a means of giving thanks and pleading for safety and getting abundant fish catches. This ceremony is held once a year and is held lively so that it attracts local and foreign tourists.
3.Circumcision Ceremony
This circumcision ceremony is held when a boy is about to be circumcised as one of the main requirements as a follower of Islam. This ceremony is usually held from morning to night.
Usually, before the child is circumcised, the child will be paraded around the village accompanied by the arts of their respective regions. For example, Tanjidor in Bekasi, Sisingaan in Subang, or Kuda Renggong in Sumedang.
At the time of the circumcision or circumcision procession, a rooster, firecrackers, and various percussion instruments (percussion instruments such as a tambourine) are prepared. When a rooster is slaughtered, firecrackers are lit, and percussion is played with marhabaan songs, the child is circumcised.
After the circumcision process is complete, neighbors, relatives, and guests come to enjoy the dishes that have been prepared by giving money to the circumcised child. In the evening, Sundanese arts are usually held, for example by wayang golek, Kacapian, or tarling.
The meaning of this ceremony is as an effort to make the circumcised child happy to forget the pain suffered after circumcision and as an effort to be grateful and ask for the welfare and safety of the hereafter for the newly circumcised child
4. Tingkeban Ceremony
This ceremony is held during pregnancy at the age of 7 months. Tingkeban which means "closed". The meaning of closing here is that the husband is not allowed to interfere with his wife until the 40th day after giving birth and the mother is not allowed to do heavy work anymore so as not to endanger the condition of the baby she is carrying.
This procession begins with bathing the mother with water which is usually placed in a barrel with water from 7 wells and 7 kinds of flowers and is bathed by 7 closest relatives, this ceremony is led by the paraji.
The mother who is being bathed uses 7 strands of batik cloth which is applied alternately to every splash of water. At the end of the 7th splash or splash, the eel is inserted until it touches the mother's stomach.
The process of inserting the eel means that the baby's birth process can run smoothly like an eel. At the same time as the eel fell into the mother's stomach, the ivory coconut was broken by the husband who had been given a puppet image. With meaning, a child who is born clean and sweet like an ivory coconut and is given the safety of the hereafter.
After the mother was bathed and made up, the mother sold rujak with rujak ingredients consisting of 7 different kinds of fruit. Mother sells rujak to guests who come, with the medium of exchange is "sprawl", namely tiles made into rounds like coins.
When the mother sells rujak, the husband cleans the mother's toiletries, this ceremony ends at the same time as the rujak sold by the mother.
Wedding Ceremony
1. Muka Panto
Beginning with the discussion between the parents of the prospective bride and groom regarding the plan to marry off their two children. This stage is also known as "nendeun talking" which means that the woman holds the promise for editing from the male side.
2. Proposing or proposing
Almost the same as the advance of the panto, namely the meeting of the two prospective besans, the difference being that the men bring food and a binding symbol which is usually a ring for the woman. In this stage, both parties determine the date, time, and place of the wedding.
3. Fiance
This process is marked by "patukeur beubeur tameur" or exchanging belts. Belts are usually worn, usually rainbow-colored.
4. Seserahan
Before the wedding day arrives, the men bring "seserahan" in the form of money, clothes, etc. which are stored in a decorated place.
5. Ngeuyeuk Seureuh
The leader in this stage is called "pangeuyeuk", beginning with a procession of giving symbols of advice and giving blessings to the two prospective brides. Accompanied by a song sung by pangeuyeuk and disawer / flush rice as a symbol for a life full of prosperity.
The next step is to "sweep a stick" which means to cultivate affection and work hard between the bride and groom. Then, open the white cloth "pangeuyeuk" which means a holy and unblemished marriage.
Splitting mayang jambe / areca nut by the groom means they will love and adapt to each other. And, ending with pounding the pestle into the mortar 3 times.
6. Making Lungkun
Lungkun is made of crossed betel leaves, indicating that if the bride and groom get the fortune, it must be distributed, not to be stingy.
7. Fighting for money
Money is thrown under the mat and fought over by the bride and groom, which means that the bride and groom are competing for fortune.
8. The procession of the marriage contract on the appointed day. On the wedding day, there are 8 stages, namely picking up the bride and groom.
- Welcoming the bride (the bride's mother drapes flowers on the groom).
- Marriage contract (performed by KUA officers).
- Sungkeman (asking for blessing)
- Wejangan (advice from the father of the bride)
- Saweran
- Meuleum Harupat (lighting a candle)
- Nincak Endog
- Muka Panto
Those are some of the customs that exist in the West Java area, apart from those mentioned above, there are other traditional ekahan ceremonies and death ceremonies.
Cultural values in West Java, which are embodied through traditional ceremonial processions, form and characterize the Sundanese, to speak softly, always respect parents and obey existing rules, so there is the term "pamali" if there is a violation of the rules the custom.
In addition, the meaning of mutual respect, love, and sharing in dealing with the community by not forgetting the blessings that have been given by God Almighty is contained in every holding of these traditional ceremonies.
The deeper the knowledge of Indonesian cultural diversity, hopefully, it will further foster our love for this nation as a unified whole. Those are some of the cultures of West Java that you can learn.
