Video: Honoring the Ancestors

Jakara Globe, BeritaSatu World,Jun 19, 2014

A small community in Bondowoso, East Java, has an annual tradition in time with the Islamic month of Sya’ban. The ritual is held to thank God for the harvest and honor their ancestors.

The village of Belimbing in the Klabang subdistrict of East Java’s Bondowoso holds a thanksgiving ritual every year during Sya’ban.

It is called Singo Ulung, combining the Javanese word for lion and part of the name of a village founder Ki Singo.

The ritual begins with several performances, including a lion dance that involves three characters playing the part of white lions.

The dances are followed by the village marching to Nagger, a location considered sacred by the locals.

The villagers carry various offerings with them such as rice, vegetables and fruit.

Before presenting these at Nangger, the village holds a prayer under the leadership of an elder/ to honor the ancestors so that the current leader may continue to protect the village and ensure its prosperity.

Ki Singo is said to have fled Blambangan, on the eastern tip of Java, along with his wife, Nyi Moena, and a friend, Ki Jasinga.

The three decided to settle in Belimbing and cleared the forest there for fields to cultivate crops.

Many others later joined the settlement, and Ki Singo became its first village head — honored to this day.

“We, the villagers of Belimbing, want the village to become even more prosperous in the future and have no obstacles,” Irwan, the village head of ceremonies said. “We are always holding this event in Nangger, an event that is to mark the birth of Belimbing village here.”