MTCMEDIA – MALANG. The richness of intangible cultural heritage, especially traditional customs and rituals, is vast. Practices like Kenduren, Memetri, Nyadran, and Larung Sesaji often choose specific, safe, comfortable, and strategic locations that many believe hold particular attractions.
Festival Kali Brantas: Preserving Traditions Along the Riverbanks
For the third time, Forkom Pokdarwis Kota Malang has organized the Festival Kali Brantas. Held on the riverbanks on Saturday and Sunday, July 27-28, the festival featured activities such as Kenduren, Memetri, Nyadran, and Larung Sesaji, extending along the Brantas River in seven thematic villages of Malang.
Aims of Festival Kali Brantas: Preservation and Environmental Campaign
The festival kicked off with Petik Tirto Amerto at the Zero Point of the Brantas River in Sumber Brantas Village, Batu City, on Saturday, July 13, 2024. This was followed by Sarasehan Tirto Wening at Latar Seni Winarto Ekram Ngopet Pendem Junrejo, Batu City, on Sunday, July 14, 2024. All events were part of celebrating National River Day.
“Our aim is not only to preserve traditional customs but also to campaign for clean rivers, making rivers an attractive tourism feature to be developed,” said Ki Demang(*), the festival’s initiator and the head of Pokdarwis Kota Malang. “We hope that river rituals won’t fade away because they are part of our activities. If the Brantas River is clean, it can be used for communal attractions.”
River Cleanup Activities Before the Festival
Candra Nurman, a Cultural Guide from the Malang City Education and Culture Office, noted that many traditional rituals still thrive in Malang. “Kenduren, Memetri, Nyadran, and Larung traditions are part of cultural advancement objects, packaged in various forms.” This unique ritual on the riverbank, which existed in the past, has become a focal point of Malang’s cultural heritage, and there are plans to register it as an intangible cultural heritage.
The event involved many parties. A week before the festival, on Saturday and Sunday, July 20-21, 2024, a river cleanup event called “Gugur Gunung Rijik-Rijik Kali Brantas” was held. Communities along the riverbanks worked together to clean the river, supported by DLH’s Yellow Troops, BPBD Malang City, and SAR Team 7 Lung volunteers.
Kenduren Kali Brantas in Kampung Kramik Dinoyo
In Kampung Kramik Dinoyo, the Festival Kali Brantas was celebrated on Sunday, July 27, 2024, with Kenduren Kali Brantas. The event began with a parade of tumpeng (rice cones) around the village, flagged off by the Dinoyo Village Head. “We hold Kenduren by the Brantas River to preserve the tradition that once existed. This is an expression of gratitude to God, showing that we must take care of nature,” explained Syamsul Arifin, Head of Pokdarwis Kramik Dinoyo. “Holding Kenduren means the place must be clean.”
Larung Sesaji Labuh Kali in Kampung Grabah Penanggungan
In the afternoon, the festival continued with Larung Sesaji Labuh Kali in Kampung Grabah Penanggungan. Hundreds of fish were released, accompanied by traditional jaranan dancers. Afterward, children from Grabah performed Petik Belik (fetching water from a spring) to be handed over to the Penanggungan Village Head. “This activity reminds us that traditional vessels used to fetch water were made from pottery, and this area was once the pottery center,” said Haryono, Head of Pordarwis Kampung Grabah Penanggungan.
Environmental Cleanliness Campaign by Children at the Festival
In the evening, children from Miben Voice invited those from Kampung Putih Klojen to sing, dance, and play together while promoting the “Putih Kampungku, Bersih Kaliku” campaign. “We prepared children’s songs to encourage them not to litter,” explained Yuke Oktaf Feri(*), leader of Miben Voice. “This creative campaign teaches children about water, rivers, the environment, and waste management during National Children’s Month.”
Second Day of Festival Kali Brantas in Kampung Biru, Tridi, and Warna Warni
On Sunday, July 28, the Festival Kali Brantas continued in Kampung Biru Arema Kiduldalem, Kampung Tridi Kesatrian, and Kampung Warna Warni Jodipan. Thus, from morning till afternoon, jaranan performances took place at KBA, followed by a parade to Kampung Tridi, led by the Kidul Dalem Village Head and handed over to the Kesatrian Village Head. In the evening, jaranan performances continued in Kampung Warna Warni. Before moving to Kampung Warna Warni, a Memetri Kali Brantas ritual and jamasan (cleaning) of art tools were held at the Brantas River.
Ritual Dance Nyadran Kali Brantas: A Captivating Festival Finale
The final and most anticipated event was the Nyadran Kali Brantas ritual dance. Forty dancers in white costumes performed the Nyadran Kali Brantas dance, carrying earthenware jars filled with water from the Brantas River. The water was previously collected during Petik Tirto Amarta and handed over by Ki Demang, whose real name is Isa Wahyudi, the initiator of Kampung Budaya Polowijen, to nine representatives from the festival’s locations.
Author
- Wira Fajar
Translator
- Yoga Bayu Savira
(*) = Translated From Indonesian.
