Brantas River Performance Festival Workshop #3: Highlights Its Potential as a Civilization Hub

MTCMedia – Malang. The second round of the Brantas river Festival #3 was held again, featuring the Brantas river workshop and ritual dance performances. This event took place on Sunday, July 14, at the Winarto Ekram Art Setting in Ngopet Hamlet, Pendem Village, Junrejo Subdistrict, Batu City, the final village along the Brantas River.

On the occasion of the workshop which was attended by the Malang City Pokdarwis Management. Before the workshop began, nine dancers from Malang Dance Winarto Ekram performed a happening art performance in the Mapag Titro Wening dance in Winarto Ekram’s art setting whose background is the Brantas River. Here also just finished the Obah Ngedrug Bumi 5 event from July 1-10 a few days ago.

Future planning on the River Show

During the event, Winarto offered the River Show concept for next year’s Kali Brantas Festival. He said that “Every village that is passed by the Bratas river must have a dance group, the group takes turns dancing on the river, either on rocks, membaut getek or a safe stage for performing on river water”.

Samsul Subakri, familiarly called “Mbah Karjo,” presented an interesting idea. He proposed, “In the river, there are many river biota and animals around the river. Children can create stories, fairy tales, and games about these animals.” He also suggested teaching children by the river about kotekan music games and singing. 

Pegiat Sabers Pungli (sweep clean and pick up river trash) Batu City Mad Berlin also provided reinforcement and information from the spring expedition on the Brantas river in the Batu City area, the source of springs that flow into the Brantas river is 310 points, therefore it must be maintained. To maintain the springs, Batu City has now given a decree to the community caretaker with the designation kuwowo and ulu ulu.

Mad Berlin emphasized, “The Brantas River is a source of civilization, culture, and community traditions such as Padusan, Pangomben, and Pangonan, which need preservation. Traditional ritual activities must encourage examples of how we take care of belik, source, and jaladwara to maintain this water. ‘Bersih Desa’ activities must synergize with clean river cleanups.”

Archaeologist Dwi cahyono proposal at the workshop festival

Archaeologist Dwi Cahyono also contributed to the workshop. He noted that along the Brantas watershed, there are hundreds of historical relics. Brantas springs, such as the Arboretum Jurang Kuwali on Anjasmoro mountain slopes called “Sumber Wedok,” and another on the slopes of Mount Welirang called “Sumber Lanang,” hold significant historical value.

Dwi Cahyono highlighted that the Batu area alone has archaeological remains, such as Pendem temple, the Ganesya statue, and relics from the Kanjuruhan period, including several historic inscriptions. He proposed the revitalization of Kali Brantas culture to utilize and showcase these data as traditional and cultural heritage.

“Brantas River belongs to all of us, and everyone must keep it safe from anger and disaster. Brantas needs revitalization to become a treasure for all of us,” Dwi Cahyono emphasized. He stressed that Brantas is not only about environmental sustainability but also about preserving the history and civilization that have grown and developed along this ancient river.