Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Floating Market In Borneo

Banjarmasin Floating Market: A Note Heritage

Banjarmasin is one of the major cities in Indonesia are located in one of the largest island in the world which is Borneo. Banjarmasin in ​​South Kalimantan province, as quoted from Banjarmasin local government websites, has an area of ​​approximately 72 square miles or approximately 0.22 percent of the total area of ​​South Kalimantan.

Cleaved by the river Martapura provide its own characteristics on the way people lives, especially they use rivers as water transport, trade and tourism. Banjarmasin sebagai ibukota propinsi adalah pusat perdagangan dan pariwisata. As the provincial capital ,Banjarmasin is the trade and tourism center.

Banjarmasin also called the water city because the location of mainland is a few inches below the sea surface. and The most famous unique places in Banjarmasin is the floating market.The presence of the floating market itself is part of from the historical city of Banjarmasin.

As quoted from the blog gitacinta.multiply.com, in the year 1526 Sultan Suriansyah establish the kingdom on the edge of the Kuin and Barito river which later became the forerunner of the Banjarmasin.

On the banks of the river is also a traditional trading center began to grow. Besides Muara Kuin floating market in Banjarmasin, other floating markets are in the Lok Baintan above Martapura River. But the buoyant market here is not as popular as the Muara Kuin Banjarmasin possibly because the location is quite far from downtown.
To be able to enjoy the exoticism of the floating market, we can rent a motor boat called Kelotok boat.


The price to rent a Kelotok ranged from Rp 50,000 to Rp 70.000 (US $ 6 - 9) depends on the number of passengers. A Trip from downtown to Banjarmasin Kuin floating market takes about one hour by kelotok boat, whereas with the land transport only takes about 15 minutes.

By boat we can see cultural kelotok Banjar people who sell vegetables, cakes, food and drink typical of Banjarmasin, like Soto Banjar can be enjoyed from a boat (if not using kelotok) or can transact directly from boat to boat.Floating market is held every day from 5 until 8 am.

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Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Unique Races : Karapan Sapi from Madura

For the people of Madura, Cow's race is not just a party of the people of celebrations held every year. Cow's RACE not just a tradition that carried generations from one to the next generation . Cow's RACE is a pride that will raise the prestige of dignity in society.
The ORIGIN history of the Kerapan Sapi (Cow's Race) based on oral sources was first popularized by Prince Katandur Sapudi originating from the island, Sumenep city during the 13th century. Originally cows used as processing power for fields. to plow the cow work, processing rice field soil, it worked and the barren land was turned into fertile soil.
Seeing the good ideas and bring positive results, of course, village residents followed his prince. Finally the ground all over the island which was originally Sapudi arid, fertile soil that could be planted with rice. And the Results people of Madura can produce their own food
After the harvest, came as an expression of joy for the abundant harvest Prince Ketandur have the initiative to invite people in her village to hold a cattle race.

The area of ​​wetland that has been harvested used for Cow race. Finally, cow racing tradition until now continues to grow and preserved. Only the more popular name is replaced with "Kerapan Sapi".

For the people of Madura, Kerapan Sapi other than as a tradition as well as the party of the people who carried out after successful reaping the harvest of rice or tobacco.

Kerapan as the party of the people in Madura has a role in various fields.For example in the field of economics (an opportunity for people to sell), the role of religious magic (ie the specific calculations for the owner of the cow before the match and the presence of certain mantras), the field of fine arts (there is on equipment that has a particular decoration), the arts dance and music art saronen (always changing and evolving).

Anatomy of Kerapan

Definition of the word "kerapan" is a fighting cow  wearing "kaleles". Kaleles are complementary means to be climbed sais / jockey who is known in Madura called "handyman Tongko". The cows that will be driven roped with "pangonong" in the neck so that it becomes a single pair.

Madurese gives the difference between “kerapan sapi” and “sapi kerap”. Kerapan SApi is a cow that was fighting , in moving, running and dynamic. and Sapi kerap is good for one or more kerapan. This is to distinguish ordinary cow. There are several kerapan namely "kerrap kei" (small kerapan), "kerrap king''(kerapan great), 'kerrap onjangan" (kerapan invitation), "kerrap jar-ajaran" (kerapan exercise).

Kaleles as a tool for the ride kerapan Tokang Tongko from time to time through many developments and changes. Kaleles light used is selected (for cows could run as much as possible), but strong enough to be climbed Tokang Tongko (jockey).

Sapi Keraps are selected with specific characteristics. For example, small-breasted water means downward, long-backed, hoofed meetings, rigid upright and sturdy, long-tailed and fat. Rearing cow is often also very different from ordinary cows.

Cows for races always controlled in eating and health,, his health and at certain moments were given herbal medicine. It's happens that these costs of cow's special treatment are not comparable with that obtained when the winning prize, but the owner is a pride and cow's prices often can be very high.

Cow for race there are three kinds , they are "quick heat" (only with hot oiled powder and medicines quickly aroused), the cattle are "cold" (when will dikerap should be flogged many times), and cow "kowat rafters" (strong tired, need a warm up first).

At the time, will be contested cattle owners often have to prepare builders Tongko (jockey), "handyman tambeng" (duty to hold, open and remove obstacles to race), "handyman gettak" (bully beef for cattle to run fast), "handyman gubra" (people who bully beef to cheer on the edge of the field), "handyman ngeba rope" (a carrier cow reins from start to finish), "handyman nyandak" (the person in charge to stop running after the cow until the finish line), "handyman Tonja" (person in charge of guiding the cow).
Some equipment that is important in kerapan sapi are kaleles and pangonong, "pangangguy and rarenggan" (clothing and jewelry), "rokong" (a tool to cow for a surprise sprint). In Cow's races, they do not miss the "saronen" (the instrument of driving kerapan). Device consists of saronen, drums, kenong, kempul, krecek and gongs.

People Party

The cows that worth 30.000 US $ !!!
Generally, a party of the people, organizing Kerapan Cows are also very enthused by the Madurese community. Each time the even is estimated cow's races, there are 1000 - 3000 present society . In the party among the people and society of Madura, they merge into one in an atmosphere of sportsmanship and fun.
Another interesting side karapan audience of cows is an opportunity to place a bet amongst the audience. Total stakes are also varied, ranging from the class thousand few bucks to tens, even hundreds of thousand dollars. Usually spectators who stood along the small stakes arena, they not bet much. However, the big gamblers, mostly sitting on the podium or just to see from the distance. Transactions conducted outside the arena, and usually take place at night before karapan spi begins.

Prestige Competition

Karapan Sapi owners obtain a high prestige when able to win the traditional race.
In addition, the price of cow paired direct karapan soar winner. for example, the cow who won the race ,priced 200 millions rupiahs (25.000 US $), and before win the cow prized is 40 millions rupiahs
To perform the a healthy body for calf pairs will cost up to 4 million rupiahs per pairs of cattle for food and other maintenance. That cost is for various herbal food and medicine and dozens of chicken eggs per day, even more so before competed in the arena karapan.

Based on community tradition of people karapan owners, the animal was parachuted into the arena before the wounded in the buttocks that is scraped with a nail until his skin bled for to run fast. Even given the wound or balm sauce that in certain body parts such as around the eyes.
Musi Party before and afther the Karapan Sapi

The day before the race done, partner and owner of cattle and a number of relatives staying in a tent that is placed in the field. Not forgetting the party enlivened by a traditional music group Sronen who paraded before the cow couples competed. Even the traditional services were required to be carried karapan cow. The "enthusiast" Kerapan Cows do it all for the sake of a prestige, or prestige is indeed a unique character Madurese

Pic Source:
1. http://www.eastjavatraveler.com/?p=212
2. http://alambudaya.blogspot.com/2009/04/adu-cepat-karapan-sapi.html

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Saturday, June 11, 2011

The Unique Life of Asmat Tribes

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Asmat is a name of a tribe in Papua. Asmat tribe known as the result of a unique wood carvings. Asmat population is divided in two, those tribe's people living in coastal areas and those living in the hinterland. the two populations are different in the ways of living, and social structure .the population of asmat tribe further divided into two parts, namely Bisman tribes who were among the rivers and streams sinesty nin and spare Shimei.

usually in a village inhabited by approximately 100 to 1000 people. every village had one bachelor house and many family homes. bachelor's house is used for ceremonial and religious ceremonies. family houses inhabited by two to three families, who have their own bathroom and kitchen.

Survival habits and foraging among one tribe with another tribe in the area of ​​District-Mitak Citak was almost the same. Asmat tribal land, tribal and ethnic Mitak citak have a daily habit of making a living by hunting animals in forest such as snakes, cassowaries etc.. they also produce sago as a food staple and the fisherman that is looking for fish and shrimp to eat.

They know the three concepts of the world: Amat ow capinmi (the reality life that happen now), Dampu ow campinmi (the world of spirits who have died), and Safar (heaven). For the sake of saving people and redeem souls, the persons of Asmat tribe who's still alive had to make sculptures and statues, make some party like a bis party(Bioskokombi), masks party, boat party, and sago worm party.

bis statue is the most sacred statue. but now make a statue for the Asmat, not only the call from tradition. because the engraving is also selling them to strangers at a party when carving. they know, the hand-carved that they make its prices between 9 US $ thousand up to hundreds dollars outside papua.

Today, there are approximately 70,000 Asmat people live in Indonesia. Asmat majority of children were at school.

Sometimes we forget the presence of our brothers who were there. they were just like we have the right to nationality. live from us how to try to share to others

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Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Kecak, Magical Cultural Dance From Bali

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Kecak Dance or the art of Kecak is a dance that originated from Bali Indonesia, Kecak Dance is performed by tens or more male dancers who sat lined up in a circle and with a certain rhythm and chanting "cak" and raised both arm. The dancers in the circle is wearing a plaid cloth like a chessboard their waist.
Kecak Dance describe the Ramayana story ehen the time line of apes help Rama against Ravana. However, Kecak sanghyang comes from the ritual, namely the tradition of dancing, the dancers will be in unconscious condition, to communicate with God or the spirits of the ancestors and then convey its expectations to the public.

Based on the references from wikipedia, although this Kecak Dance Typical Balinese dance, but Kecak dance was created by foreign artists, he was Walter Spies, the painter from Germany.
Around 1930's Wayan Limbak worked with German painter Walter Spies to create the Kecak dance based on traditional Sanghyang and parts of the story of Ramayana. Wayan Limbak popularizing this dance while traveling the world with his troupe of Balinese dancers.

If we are talking about the island of Bali, of course we'll talk about a harmony between art, culture and religious life. Not only limited to the discourse, the people of Bali indeed embody harmonization in every joint of their lives.More great again, they've been doing since time immemorial and still continues until this day, one form of manifestation of such harmonization is the art of traditional Balinese dance.

Most types of dance in Bali combine elements of art, culture and religion, one example is the Kecak Dance is already well known internationally.
Its uniqueness lies in the musical instruments that go with it. Kecak Dance does not need to accompany the gamelan music or another instrument. Instrumental music at the Kecak dance lies precisely on the dancers, amounting many people. The dancers sit in a circle and then called for the words "Chuk" in which different rhythms, raising his arms.

Kecak dance video - dance, Balinese Indonesia

reference : wikipedia.org
pIcture Source

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Tuesday, June 7, 2011

The Martial Art of Debus, It's No Trick It's Magic !!!

Banten is one of the provinces in Indonesia and also the name of ethnic origin contained in the province. Some people argue that people of Banten is also the Sundanese , because culture is cultivated by them are generally the same as the Sundanese.
In a linguistic example, Banten people use the language they called "Sunda-Banten", ie language which shows some differences compared with other Sundanese language, particularly in the intonation.
Regardless of the similarities and differences in cultural issues that cultivated by the Sundanese and Banten, Banten is a tribes that located in Banten province .As other ethnic communities in Indonesia, Banten people also have different kinds of traditional arts. One of them who later became a label of Banten society that call DEBUS. That is, if someone hears the word "DEBUS", so what they remind is Banten in Indonesia or Indonesia.

The arts of Power is referred has to do with tarikat Rifaiah carried by Nurrudin Ar-Raniry to Aceh in the 16th century. The followers of this religious organization while it is in a state of epiphany (an infinite joy because "face to face" with God), often strike with various sharp objects into their bodies.

Filosofi yang mereka gunakan adalah " lau haula walla Quwata ilabillahil 'aliyyil adhim " atau tiada daya upaya melainkan karena Allah semata.

The philosophy they use is "lau haula Walla Quwata ilabillahil 'aliyyil Adhim" no power and act but but from God . So, if God permits, then the knifes, machetes, swords or bullets would not have hurt them.
In Banten at the beginning this martial art used to developed of teachings Islam. However, in the Dutch colonial period and at the time of Sultan Agung Tirtayasa, this art is used to evoke the spirit of warriors and people of Banten to fight the Dutch.
Today, by the times, this martial arts serves as an entertainment only.

Debus Players

The players DEbus consists of a sheik (leader of the game), some people pezikir, players, and drummers. 1-2 weeks before the show usually Debus Palyers will implement abstinence-specific restrictions to be saved when doing the show, namely:
(1) No Alcohol,
(2) No Gambling,
(3) No Stealing
(4) No Make love with her wife or other woman

Venue and Equipment of the Game

Debus is usually done in the yard at the time of the holding of other events that involve many people. Equipment used in the game are:

(1) Debus with a rod
(2) Machete use to slice the body Debus player,
(3) knife to slice the player's body,
(4) bulbs that will be chewed or eaten (the same such as jaran kepang game in Central and East Java)
(5) pan used to fry an egg on the head of the player,
(6) coconut;
(7) kerosene and others.

The Games
Debus game generally begins with echoes several traditional songs (as the opening song or "Gembung").After it, then continued with the reading or recitation and is not macapat containing praises to Allah SWT and Prophet Muhammad .

The goal is to play savely in Debus. After the recitation and macapat completed, then followed by a martial arts game that was exhibited by one or two players without using a sharp weapon.
The next activity in a Debus game in the form of a variety of attractions, such as: puncture the stomach by using the whistle; peeling coconuts and break through by breakng into player's head; cut coconuts and burn it on the head; fry eggs and crackers on the head; slashed body with a sharp weapon like a machete and a knife; burn the body with kerosene or a walk in the embers of the fire; eating and chewing glass bulb; climb the ladder of the steps are the eyes of machete-sharp machete with bare feet, and flush the body with sulfur acid (H2SO4).

In addition, the attraction of stabbing stomach by using a whistle, a player holding the whistle, then the pointed tip attached to the belly of the other players.After that, other players will hold a wooden bat called a mace and hit the base of the whistle again and again.

When Accident happen, then the sheikh will heal by rubbing the injured body part is accompanied by reading spells, so they wound can be healed in instantly.

Then, when the attraction of cutting the body with a sharp weapon such as machetes and knives, the weapons players will be thrust into several parts of his body such as: neck, abdomen, hands, arms, and thighs.

The Debus player need to pray for him immune from sharp weapons. One example of the spell is: " Haram kau sentuh kulitku, haram kau minum darahku, haram kau makan dagingku, urat kawang, tulang wesi, kulit baja, aku keluar dari rahim ibunda. Aku mengucapkan kalimat la ilaha illahu "

whish mean moreless...
"Forbidden you touch my skin , Forbidden you drink my blood, you're forbidden to eat flesh, muscle of copper, bone of iron, skin of steel, I come out from the womb of the mother. I say words no god but Allah".

And, when the attractions of eating from broken bulb, what they spewing later is not broken glass that they eat but bat that alive !!!

The martial art of Debus Banten conducted by the society, if examined in depth, then in it contains the values ​​that can be used as a reference in a common life and the provision of life in the future. These values ​​include teamwork, hard work, and religious faith. In this case someone who wants to play Debus must be practiced continuously while running the terms and abstinence in specific restrictions for so they got the perfect ability.

Sources: www.kpsnusantara.com
Ministry of Education and Culture of Indonesia.

Pic Link via : Source
Source 2

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Sunday, June 5, 2011

The Essence of Dayak Tattoo

Beside shape of the long ears, the other Dayak tribes tradition is a tattoo. Dayak woman above 40 years old on average have a tattoo on his arm and leg. For women, the presence of tattoos on their bodies showed they were members of noble families. People of Dayak Kenyah , Bahau, Iban, Kayan have tattoos, while the other Dayak groups do not follow this practice.
Tattoo Motives for women Kenyah include dog chains, the motives of the war, the horns of the animals in the arm and thigh, dams circle motifs in the calf or ankle.
Tattoos on Dayak Kenyah tribe is a sign of maturity, while for men the tattoo is a sign that they've explored the other lands and has done something extraordinary, such as killing an enemy in battle.

Sjaifullah and Try Harijono in an article in Kompas, October 22, 2004, entitled “Makna Tato bagi Masyarakat Dayak” said the tattoo for some Dayak ethnic communities are part of the tradition, religion, social status in society, and can also as a form of recognition rate against one's ability.

For this reason, tattoos for the Dayak community can not be made haphazardly. Nevertheless, the religious tattoos have the same meaning in the Dayak community, namely as a "torch" in the course of one's natural to eternity, after death.

Therefore, the number of tattoos that more and more indicative of the growing number of "torch" that will illuminate the way to a natural person immortality but tattoo could not be made as much in vain, because it must comply with customs regulations.

Both tattoos on men and women, traditionally made using orange spines long and gradually then use some needle . What has not changed is the material tattooing which typically uses soot from the pot black. This is what makes tattoo from Dayak different from any other tattoos that often use different colors for beauty reasons.
But unfortunately the Dayak tattoo that was so noble, that describes the "torch" that will light the way to the owner to the nature of eternity, has now shifted its value. Now, no more Dayak tattoos are considered as the symbol for "cool effect", especially for the younger generation.

The presumption tattoo as a symbol of valor is similar to public opinion outside the Dayak, tattoos usually identified with the thugs who can say proudly. This assumption is then penetrated the Dayak youth, through a process of globalization.

Globalization has made the shift into Dayak Tattoos for show and violence only.Only a few parents in the village are still paying attention, as he believes that modernization has weakened the traditional cultural on dayak tattoo aspects
Responding to this, Lawrence Ding Lie, who called himself Art Tattoo Dayak maker in the village of Long Bagun Ilir, expressed concern.

He is concerned with the image of a tattoo that is identical to the violence.
Especially lately more and more non-Dayak want to have Dayak tatto, without knowing the real essence of these Dayak tattoo.
This is very unfortunate, when the cultural values ​​of a culture lost and replaced by another value that can be said to deviate from its original value because the process of modernization and globalization.

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Saturday, June 4, 2011

Bedhaya Ketawang, Mystical Dance With Beautiful Rhytm

Bedhaya Ketawang Dance is a very sacred and is only held once a year. It is said in it danced the Queen of South sea participate on the dance to respect to the successors of the Mataram Kings dynasty.Treasury Beksan (dance) tradition Surakarta Sultanate palace consists of various kinds.
Bedoyo Ketawang (Link)

Viewed from its function, the dance can be divided into 3 types. That dance has magical properties of religious, depicting the war dance, and dance that contains the story (drama).
Each dance is created because there is history that is affected by the atmosphere at that time. Various types of dance created by pengramu keraton (the Palace advisor) it's not he make by him self or imagination, but combined with input from the supernatural creature who has a good relationship with the royal family. So there are loads of mystical and magical.

Dance which has a magical-religious nature, such as Bedhaya usually exhibited by 7 or 9 young lady, while that was exhibited by 4 girls called Serimpi dance.

Dance origins Bedhaya Ketawang 

at first only exhibited by seven women only.In subsequent developments, because this dance is considered a special dance and trusted as a very sacred dance and then was exhibited by nine people.Unlike other dances, this Ketawang Bedhaya special originally demonstrated by palace courtiers Bedhaya Surakarta Sultanate.

Rhythm was audible over entire (smooth) compared with other dance like Srimpi, and in the presentation without keplok-Alok (applause and words or yell)

A Mystical Dance SRIMPI

It is said Bedhaya dance because this dance just follow and flow to the rhythm of gending instrument, like Bedhaya Gending Ketawang Ageng (created by Penembahan Senapati / founder of Mataram Kingdom) Bedhaya Gending Tejanata and sinom (by Sultan Paku buwono IX) Bedhaya pickaxe (By Paku buwono VIII), Miyanggong (by Sultan Paku Buwono IV), Duradasih (By paku Buwono V), etc.
Who was the creator of Bedhaya Ketawang dance itself until now is still confusing.

Video Bedhaya Ketawang Dance original on Mataram Sultan's Inaguration

Bedhaya Pangkur Video

Bedoyo Ketawang dance according to Your majesty Pakubowono X describe the love symbol of Queen of South Sea with Panembahan Senopati, all motion symbolizes the gentle persuasion and flattery lust, though inevitable Sinuhun, Queen of South Sea still begging for him go with him settle at the bottom ocean and rule in Sakadhomas Bale Kencana (Throne are entrusted by King Rama Wijaya on the ocean floor) and there was agreement / Sacred Oath of South Sea Queen and King for first land of Java, which can not be violated by Javanese kings or hereditary kings successor.

One source mentioned that this dance was created by Penembahan Sanapati, first King of Mataram, while meditating on the South Coast. The story tell, in his ascetical Penembahan Senapati met Kencanasari Queen (Queen of South) who are dancing.

Furthermore, the ruler of the South Sea is taught that dance to this Mataram rulers.
Another source mentions that Bedhaya Ketawang dance was created by Sultan Agung Anyakrakusuma (grandson Panembahan Senapati).
According to the Book of Wedhapradangga which is considered the creator of this dance is Sultan Agung (1613-1645), the greatest king of the kingdom of Mataram along Kencanasari Queen, ruler of the South Sea.

The story told, when Sultan Agung was meditating, suddenly heard the strains of a gising. Later the Sultan Agung have an idea to create dance movements adapted to the strains gising that he ever heard.Finally, the dance movements that can be produced with perfect then called Bedhaya Ketawang dance.

Compiled from various sources

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Magical Dancing of Jaran Kepang, Who Dare Eating Glass n Fire

Doger / Jaran kepang orr kuda lumping is one of Indonesia's cultural richness. Jaran kepang art that has long been recognized by the Java community and all people in "nusantara"
Java Community gave the name on Jaranan tradition with jaran kepang,or jatilan and for society in some area in east java Nongkojajar it's known as Doger .
Although with different names, attributes and costume that used 2 dance , gamelan (instrument from java), and a typical rocking horse made of woven bamboo ridden by dancers lesson .

Jaran kepang is very identical with a mystical atmosphere, where before the show horse braid in Start a person to burn incense to invite spirits for later taken possession of some of the dancers so the dancers become unconscious of what they do.

in that condition theu can do like, eating fire, eating flowers, eating broken glass / porcelain, it's called "ndadi" , it meant to become.
A dancer who is possessed, eating glass in the yard Vihara Avalokitesvara, Pamekasan, Madura, East Java, on Wednesday night (4 / 11).Link

Performing Arts of Jaran Kepang is usually held at the time of circumcision or wedding celebration, the event for national holidays like Independence Day Celebration.
Eating burning wood
To give an idea about the art of braid or Doger lesson of this post I include excerpts show Jaran kepang art in the Village Pungging,Tutur distric Pasuruan East Java on one of celebration Villagers Pungging. Jaran kepang organization named Langgeng Budoyo Pungging, chairman Mr Riyamun villagers Pungging Kec. Tutur Pasuruan.

Here another video of NDADI in Jaran kepang (they eat neon lamp.......)

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Friday, June 3, 2011

Simple Instrument Music Karinding From Sundanese

Karinding, is the music instrument from Sundanese since 300 Years Ago

Made from old bamboo and dried palm or from the midrib, traditional musical instruments, categorized as a folk instrument is said already exist in the land of Sunda,west java since 300 years ago. Karinding, thus the name of a music tool that can only be played in one key tone.
 "If only the F key then the F course, if the key G yes G alone," said Dadang (42) the Community of Hong in the workshop at the event Karinding Bandung "Kotaku Hijau", Field Tegallega from Saturday-Sunday (2-3/8/2011). If you want to play another tone, continued Dedi, Karinding just need to control the volume air of breathing.
The existence Karinding probably unfamiliar even in Sunda it self. Although age has been past, but the shape and sound still feels strange in the ears of Sundanese people in general.

Karinding has three parts: the needle where the exit tone called cecet ucing (tail cat-ed), then limiting the needle, and the tip called panenggeul (bat-ed). Panenggeul if hit by hand will serve to move the needle. So, come out of Karinding distinctive sound.
In making Karinding through five stages of manufacture to be a Karinding who can really play.

"Of the five Karinding made in one day can obtain one Karinding most appropriate to play music," said Dedi. Karinding also stored in special equipment is also made from bamboo reeds that have air holes.

According to Dedi, Karinding can only be combined with the musical instruments of traditional music such as angklung. "Because Karinding have a light tone and low," he said.

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Scarry Burrial Sites and Ceremonial In Toraja

When I lived in a student mess at Yogkarta, I'm getting close with a friend who came from South Sulawesi. He talked about the ceremony about the massive death, and the corpses that are not buried, but placed in natural caves.I was surprised-astonished. Left just like that? Not buried? He said yes. I can not believe it. How could the body not be buried in the soil, or not burned in cremation?

I was more surprising when my friend told me, people who died, are stored first in the house, and treated as if he was still alive, it's just, he's in a state of "illness" and continue to be provided to eat and drink every day. can you Imagine to living with the dead in same house? Still according to his story, the bodies will be given special spices then wrapped and layered fabric to resemble a big pillow.

many people in Toraja house smell fragrant spices. Foreigners will consider it usual fragrant spices typical of Toraja. Only those who recognize is the people of Toraja, the smell was spicy corpse or not .... hmmm!

Well, after several months, or even years , when the family is able to throw a party to the dead called Solok, which is customary before delivering the body of the party to his final resting place, namely on the cliff of the mountain, or in a cave.

This cave was once banned for the public. But now ordinary people can be visited.didn't they smell of corpses? "I screamed spontaneously.My friend shook his head.I'm curious ... but, ... it is impossible until I see it with my own eyes.

And then, some time later, I watch TV shows that cover the dark cave where the skull was lined-row with the surrounding bones .. I think my friend tell the truth...and than I wondering if I could see it alive... , I wish I could go there ...

Well, some time ago I have a vacation with my husband to Toraja. This is the third time I visited the place that called "land in the clouds" .Well, a unique place visited by many foreign and domestic tourists are .... grave.
the place for some people is horrible , changed become a tourist attraction by the local government.
Here are some of the famous burial site locations in Toraja...

1. Londa

This is where the nobles Tangdinoq buried. Until now, this place is still in use.We see the Tau Tau (a kind of artificial doll deceased during life) and crates which hung on the outside, just above the trail where visitors milling about.
Crates were placed on a wooden on the cliff, or tied with rope fibers. hiyy… Had horrified really, what if suddenly brakkk!! And the casket fell on top of us ... hiyy ...

Londa is shaped natural cave that very dark. It was impossible to enter it without illumination. Here the offered services plus light guide petromax the price of Rp 20,000, (2.2 bucks). This guide will accompany us into the cave, damp and dark, and tell when we have to stop, or when we had to descend the slippery part.
And ... We also saw crates of fresh put in there, too old crates and a lot of plastic bottles and cigarette butts. Also the skull and bones.

the guide said, families still often come pilgrimage and bring drinks and cigarettes for those who died. This guide would help slingshot us posing with the skull that ... He also fluently spoke of this place. I asked to the guide . "What if crate hanging outside it fall?"Guide replied calmly."It just left alone, will not be collected, will not be moved . There is a plague that would happened if the bones were removed without the customary feast. So only just a wild animal or trampled people, dared to move them. "
so to change the location of the skull and other bones that have to with more traditional party. Imagine, a party to "rest" here, and the party again if you want to change the position of the bone bone ... Whew ... how much it cost for this party huh?
According to their belief, bodies had been returned to nature, then let nature do anything about it. Humans can no longer in doing things add modifiers.

Pernah terjadi, kata sang guide, seorang pengunjung, -pelajar SMP peserta study tour dari luar wilayah Toraja- kesurupan setelah dia sengaja memindahkan sebuah tengkorak untuk menakuti dan mengisengi kawan-kawannya.

Actually, there are other alleys deeper, but the tour guide said, the course is more slippery and steep, not to mention the thin oxygen in there.
first, I thought, we will smell "the smell of the decay" ... the smell of rotting corpses so, but, i dont ...

2. Lemo

A little bit different with Londa, Lemo burial site is in the cliff. So this big rock and then punched to the body of people put into it. Tau Tau lined placed in a hole, like a man sitting behind a window. the higher tomb, is belong to higher social status as well.
Lemo and Tau Tau in "Windows"

At Lemo, under the window Tau Tau existing footpath to the left. Just follow the path, then if you do not get lost :) You will exit through several workshops craftsmen Tau Tau, then you will be treated to a paddy field with beautiful views ...
You can buy souvenirs here Toraja, or just look around.

3. Suaya

Located in the district Sanggala. Burial site of the kings and nobles Toraja is believed to be descendants Tamborolangi, deities of the Toraja people's confidence that teach the origins of cultivation and traditional rituals. Here there are also tau-tau.

In this Suaya site, there is a relatively steep stairs, now, when he got on top, we can enjoy the beautiful scenery stretches from the heights.


Burial site shaped natural cave, almost similar to Londa.
Here we were wrong driveway. We found a small, dark hallway. We're not sure what's in it.
Want to go in but... we doubt ... how about getting lost inside? Or oxygen-thin? The hall was very dark. Then I think ii should shoot it, to take a picture. Blitz camera is definitely sharper than our eyes. Snap! And I see on my digital camera screen, a relatively clean hallway and staircase.dark alley, can be seen from the camera shots
Eventually we ventured to enter desperate, groping and track-trail safe footing while to figure this hall in the shape of the camera.
Dark Hall light up by camera blitz
Finally, on the other end of the visible light. We move on toward the light, down a bit and .... hoooohhh ... its huge cave area ,clean and brightly lit.

We had chuckled in amusement. it's another cave burial site . Then we fell silent as we looked like a row of skulls. Hmmm ... it's another cave burial site.
The difference here with the Londa, here is relatively cleaner and more orderly. Also out of sight (erong) crates that are still new. All ancient and Tau Tau is also looks very old ..

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in some places in Toraja, the community has a unique culture, to enter into the stone coffins.

This stone is drilled, and called burrows.According to local people that we meet, to make this hole, the cost is equivalent to 30 million rupiah (3.500 US $).
In this rock, old lady with a legitimate descendants can be buried here. So, in a canal, dozens of frameworks can be entered preceded customary party. Prior held a party, bodies will be stored in the house.

The tomb of the famous stone and perhaps largest in Lokamata Toraja, on the slopes Sesean. To go over here to be extra careful because the road is very narrow. No Tau Tau here, and underneath there are many fragments of stone makes the burrow.

5. Lokamata

Lots of large rocks scattered around this area, there is also a stone which is only used for one hole.While other segments of society, chose to build patane, or house the tomb, built of brick, cement and other building materials.

On the one patane, can be decades in the framework put into it. And sometimes decorated with Tau Tau. Today, the region has issued rules concerning restrictions patane development.Of course there are still bodies buried in Toraja community in the burial ground like we know today. They call it "planted".

Source :www.nanaharmanto.wordpress.com/2010/10/01/burial-sites-of-toraja

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