As the largest regency in East Java Province, Banyuwangi is currently one of the most popular tourism destinations. It is directly adjacent to Bali strait. Most visitors who come only pass before crossing to Bali. If you have time, try to stop over for a moment and explore this small town called The Sunrise of Java. The area is quite diverse, from lowlands to highlands, mountainous areas and beaches, as well as historical sites and other ancient heritage sites. By carrying out the concept of ecotourism, Banyuwangi has succeeded in developing eco-friendly tourism by prioritizing aspects of nature conservation, socio-cultural and economic empowerment of the local communities. The tourism village which is the residence of a tribe in the East Java region called the Osing Tribe, can be your tourism destination in Banyuwangi. What activities can we see and learn at this village? Let's explore this tourism village together.
The local community is more familiar with the name ‘Kemiren Village’, but this village is better known to tourists by the name Osing or Using Village. The inhabitants of this village are a group of people who have unique customs and culture as one tribe, known as the Osing (Using) tribe. The government has designated it as a cultural heritage area and developed it as a Tourism Village of Using (Osing) tribe. The Osing tribe used to be servants of the Majapahit Kingdom. However, when the kingdom was attacked, some of them fled to Tengger, Banyuwangi and Bali. In Banyuwangi, they formed the Blambangan Kingdom.
In the Osing Village area, the main attraction is Sanggar Genjah Arum, with its typical Osing old houses that are more than 100 years old. At this village, you can learn the history of the tribe from the shape of the house. The culture includes four traditional houses with different shapes that indicate the social status of the occupants, namely Crocogan, Tikelbalung, Tikel, and Serangan. At Sanggar Genjah Arum, you can directly see the culture and customs of the Osing tribe. There is an angklung paglak that farmers often play while protecting their fields. There are also Barong Kemireng and Gandrung dances that are performed when welcoming guests. The most interesting thing is that visitors can listen to Othek or mortar music played by middle-aged women of the Osing tribe. This music is performed by playing a pestle and mortar accompanied by music from the angklung paglak and drums.
At Osing Tourism Village, you should also taste the Using Coffee at the Kemiren Traditional Village of Banyuwangi, or the typical coffee of the Using people, which is known to have such a delicious taste. You can also practice directly processing it from roasting, grinding coffee beans, filtering coffee grounds to practicing how to serve coffee. The coffee beans are processed into coffee drinks of any type, from espresso or Robusta; the taste is definitely very delicious. The village is located only about 15 minutes from downtown of Banyuwangi. So, the location of this tourism village is quite easy to access. You will get a variety of new experiences in this village. So, you don't have to worry about getting bored in this village. We recommend that wherever you go for a trip, you must follow health protocols so as not to create new clusters. Prepare a mask, hand-sanitizer and keep your distance from other tourists. Have a good vacation!