Western Javanese customs that are still preserved
The culture of western Java or Sundanese tribe is really very interesting for common consideration. Especially for those living outside western Java, you will see a special attraction of the customs exhibited. Each region basically has a culture passed down by previous ancestors.
Many customs have been abandoned, but there are also some that are still preserved today. This culture prevails in the social life of the Sundani people, ranging from fraternal relationships, weddings, organizing certain events to vocations in the family. All traditions have a long history so far.
From the many customs owned by West Java, you will learn the 5 cultures that you most often encounter because the mass ofthem has been preserved so far . They range from related systems to ceremonies or circumcisions. You will find your own uniqueness from this culture from Western Java.
West Java Kinship System
The first Western Javanese customs that we will discuss are related to the kinship system. The system of kinship that prevails in the Sundanese tribe is bilateral that is drawn from fathers and mothers. Similar to other cultures, Sundanese people also consider you to be the head of the family.
This system of kinship is also not far from the role of Islam affecting culture in the Sundani tribe. There is a term “Panchakaki” which is used to describe related relationships. For those of you Sundanese, you need to be familiar with this term because it is often used in everyday life.
In addition to Panchakaki, you will also know the terms Sarsilah (Genealogy or Salsilah) and History. These two terms have almost the same meaning, namely lineage or strain. These three terms are often used when discussing the kinship system used by the Sundanese people.
The people of West Java also have their calling for their relatives, such as fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters, grandmothers, grandfathers and the like. This kind of system of kinship is still preserved today. So, don’t be surprised if there are still many West Javanese holding this system of kinship.
Seren Town’s traditional ceremony
A Western Javanese culture that is no less interesting to learn is the Seren Town Ceremony. This traditional Western Javanese culture is carried out by transporting rice or as a ngangkut of steam from rice fields to a rice barn (leuit), using a special piculan called rengkong while accompanied by traditional musical wasps.
After that, a meeting called Riungan will be held, attended by local government officials and traditional elders or community leaders. The production brought at the Ceremony of Seren Town is a symbol of a plea to thank God for the presence of local officials or officials in the West Java area.
This Western Javanese custom is a ceremony to convey good news for the abundance of rice crops or harvests and well-being achieved by the community over a period of time. Because this traditional ceremony is performed not only once, but at a certain time in accordance with customs.
One of Seren Town’s characteristics is in the process of seba. This procession is conducted by handing over all agricultural products that have been purchased to be enjoyed by officials and community leaders who come to the gathering. Everyone who comes to the ceremony will feel happiness together.
Tingkeban ceremony from West Java
The next interesting West Javanese culture to be learned is the Tingkeban ceremony. The ceremony is held for a mother who is pregnant with a 7-month-old child. This Tingkeban ceremony is conducted as a form of plea for the safety of the mother and fetus located in her belly.
The term Tingkeban has a certain meaning, that is, a cover derived from its main word Tingkeb. The meaning of this term is described by a mother who is 7 months pregnant should not be confused with her husband. In fact, 40 days after delivery is still not allowed.
The purpose of this Western Javanese custom is to prevent the mother from working too much because the uterus is getting bigger. As is known, the bond between husband and wife will make the mother exhausted and this habit is not good for the health of the baby but also for the mother herself.
After 7 months of age, the mother’s uterus will be heavier until later to childbirth. West Java culture aims to maintain the health of the mother and fetus in it so that bad things don’t happen so there are rules that a mother has to do.
Traditional ceremony of the feast of the sea
Another Western Javanese culture that is still preserved today is the traditional ceremony of the sea feast. This ceremony is held not in any place, but in the Pangandan area of Ciamis and Pelabuhan Ratu Sukabumi. If you are visiting here, do not miss to see the traditional ceremonies that are taking place.
This ceremony of the sea feast is held as a form of gratitude of the community to God for the seafood obtained. That’s why people who participate in this traditional ceremony are generally fishermen who use sea transport when working to live for their families.
Not only as an expression of gratitude, this Western Javanese custom also aims at requiring the safety of fishermen. Although marine conditions cannot be predicted, the surrounding fishermen still have to work by sailing the ocean to find as many catches as possible.
For the safety of these fishermen, this traditional ceremony is carried out and so they can bring abundant results. The procession of implementing this custom is very interesting to see and learn. So there’s nothing wrong with coming and following this traditional ceremonial procession that’s still preserved.
Sepitan or Circumcision Ceremony
This western Javanese culture is still being carried out today, more precisely the Sepitan or Circumcision ceremony. This traditional ceremony is carried out with the aim of removing all the dirt on the vital tool of trimming the bride so that it becomes cleaner. You can also find this culture in several regions.
This culture is also associated with Islamic religious beliefs where one of the conditions for Muslims is to conduct circumcision rituals, both for men and women. This ceremony takes place when boys are 6 years old and girls are babies so that they are not ashamed later.
This ceremony is usually carried out by inviting the circumcision of Paraji, relatives and neighbors to circumcision the bride. So there will be festivities in this traditional ceremony so that the young circumcision feels happy and is able to relieve the pain after her vital signs are cleared due to sometimes.
There are still many customs from the West Java area that are still preserved today and you will be interested in learning more about them. If you have a family from West Java, you are surely familiar with some of the aforementioned Western Javanese customs.