VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Javanese people have various kinds of ceremonies. There is ceremony to welcome the date of 1 Suro in Javanese calender or 1 Muharram in Islamic calender, such as conducted by Kenjo villager, Glagah district, Banyuwangi regency, East Java Province. The villagers are trying to revive a regional tradition which has disappeared long time ago. The tradition is Sapi-Sapian.Sapi-Sapian tradition tells the origin of the village. The tradition reveals the establishment of the village which was begun from 1700s. In the past, there were 3 people from Bugis who found water resource behind thick shrubs which is now located at Kenjo village. The discovery of the water resource became forerunner to clear land. Because they did not find animal to plow the field, they had to plowthe field by using human power. Two persons pull the plow, while another drived it. Not long time, they found cow which finally could be used to plow the field. Because of the history, most of Kenjo villagers use cow to plow the field, comparing to use bufallo. Sapi-Sapian tradition was stopped in 1962. But since 2012, people revive the tradition again. On the tradition, there are some males which make over like cows. The Sapi-sapian carry the plow and paraded around the village. Behind of them is followed by villagers who accompany with traditional music. In the 'Sapi-sapian' tradition, villagers will witness theatrical how to plant such as hoeing the rice field, plowing the rice field, planting rice seeds, dispeling the pests and also how to harvest. It aims to remind how to farm at the village, including as embodiment of gratitude to the God on abundant havrvest for a year.