Jakarta, IO – The second day of the Eid celebration is a special moment that the indigenous Osing Tribe in in Kemiren Village, Glagah District, Banyuwangi have been waiting for. On this day, they will hold the Barong Ider Bumi traditional ritual.
Muhammad Arifin said, Head of Kemiren Village, explained that the ritual aims to ward off evil spirits. This tradition is said to have been practiced since the 1800s, reported Kompas.com.
Arifin revealed that the ancestors believed that if the barong procession was not held, disaster would strike Kemiren Village, including a fatal disease. As the name suggests, the ritual involves parading barong (lion-like creature) around the village, accompanied by Macapat (Javanese) songs which contain prayers and chanting to God.
“Ider means going around, going everywhere. Bumi means the universe or a stepping-stone,” said Arifin.
Before the procession is held, the ritual begins with a pilgrimage to the graveyard of Buyut Cili, believed to be the guardian and protector of the village.
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The barong procession begins with sembur uthik-uthik, the scattering of yellow rice, flowers and coins as symbols of driving away evil spirits and disease. The procession ended with ceremonial rituals on mats, opened by reading prayers in Osing and Arabic.
“After the prayers were offered, the community sit together to enjoy local delicacy in the form of Pecel Pitik (chicken dish),” said Arifin. (un)