Bogor, IO – Residents fired Kuluwung (carbide cannons) in the village of Jagaita in Jonggol, Bogor regency, West Java (14/4). This folk festival, which is held every year after Eid, serves to strengthen the friendship among villages bordered by the Cipamingkis River as well as to preserve authentic Sundanese culture and entertainment.
Preparations began long before the month of Ramadan, with the search for kapok tree trunks measuring up to 6 meters in length to be purposed as the cannon barrels. In fact, residents often have to scour as far as Cianjur and Sukabumi.
The excitement of the event was not only felt by local residents, but also many visitors from outside the village, including Bekasi and Karawang. In fact, several foreign tourists and social media activists took part in the festive moment.
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The carbide cannon “war” has been a tradition practiced since 1967. Although it is still found in various regions of West Java, it has become increasingly rare over time. This is why the Kuluwung Sunda Folk Festival in Jonggol is significant in preserving this fading tradition.
(IO/Faisal Ramadhan)