Still preserved West Javanese customs
It’s very interesting to review together the culture of West Java or the Suntanese tribe. Especially for those who live outside of West Java, you’ll see that the particular attraction of customs is displayed. Each region basically has a culture passed on by its former ancestors.
While many customs have been abandoned, there are some that are still preserved today. This culture exists in the social life of the Sundanese people, ranging from fraternal relations, weddings, organizing certain events to family calls. All rituals have a fairly long history so far.
Of the many customs owned by West Java , you can get to know 5 cultures because they have been preserved so far. From kinship system to an uncertain or circumcised ceremony. You’ll find this culture’s own uniqueness from West Java.
West Java Kinship System
The first West Javanese customs we discuss are related to the kinship system. The kinship system that existed in the Sundanese tribe is bilateral in nature, which is withdrawn on the part of the father and mother. Similar to the cultures of other regions, the Sundanese people also regard the father as the head of the family.
This kinship system is not far from the role of Islam in affecting the culture of the Sundanese tribe. The term Panchakaki is used to describe kinship. For the Sundanese people among you, you should be familiar with the term because it is often used in everyday life.
In addition to panchaki, you also know the words sarsila (genealogy or salsila) and history. These two terms have roughly the same meaning, i.e. lineage or stacking strains. These three terms are often used when discussing the kinship system used by the Suntanese people.
The people of West Java have their own jobs for relatives such as fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts, siblings, sisters, grandparents, and grandparents. This kind of kinship system is still preserved today. Therefore, it should not be surprising if there are still many West Javanese people who possess this kinship system.
Seren town traditional ceremony
The Western Javanese culture that is not at all interesting to study is the Seren town ceremony. This typical West Javanese traditional culture is carried out by transporting paddy from paddy fields to paddy fields (Luite) to paddy fields (Luit) or using a special piculan called Renkong along with traditional musical wasps.
Thereafter, a meeting will be held under the name of Ruangan, which will be attended by local government officials, traditional elders and community leaders. The agricultural products brought to the Seren town ceremony are symbolic of the request for gratitude to God for the presence of local officials or officials in the West Java region.
This West Javanese custom is a ceremony to convey good news about the abundance of agricultural products or rice harvesting and the well-being achieved by the community over a given period of time. This is because this traditional ceremony is performed not only once, but also for a certain period of time in accordance with the rituals.
A feature of Seren town is found in the Seba process. The procession is carried out by handing over all the agricultural produce received in such a way that the officials and community leaders attending the ceremony can enjoy it. Everyone who comes to the ceremony will feel happy together.
Tinkeban ceremony from West Java
The next Western Javanese culture interested in studying is the Tinkeban ceremony. The ceremony is being performed for a mother who is pregnant with a 7-month-old baby. This Tinkeban ceremony is performed as a form of appeal for the safety of the mother and the embryo contained in her stomach.
The word tinkeban has a special meaning, which means to close that comes from its main word, tinkeb. The meaning of this term describes a mother who is 7 months pregnant and is not allowed to interact with her husband. In fact, it is still not allowed for 40 days after delivery.
The purpose of this West Javanese custom is to prevent the mother from working too hard because the uterus is enlarged. As is known, the relationship between a wife and husband can paralyze the mother, a habit that is not good for the health of the baby and the mother.
After 7 months of age, the mother’s uterus will gain weight until delivery. The culture of West Java aims to maintain the health of both the mother and the unborn child, so that there are rules that the mother must make to prevent bad things from happening.
The traditional ceremony of the sea feast
Another Western Javanese culture preserved even today is the traditional ceremony of the sea feast. This ceremony did not take place anywhere, but took place in the Pangandharan Siamis region and the Pelabuhan Ratu Tsukabumi area. If you visit here, do not miss the traditional ceremonies.
This sea feast ceremony is performed as a form of society’s gratitude to God for getting the fish. That’s why the people who attend this traditional ceremony are usually fishermen, who use sea transport while working for a living for their families.
Not only as an expression of gratitude, but this West Javanese custom is also aimed at a request for the safety of fishermen. Although sea conditions are unpredictable, the surrounding fishermen must travel and work across the ocean to find as many fish as possible.
For the safety of these fishermen, this traditional ceremony was performed and they were able to bring abundant fruits. This procession of traditional implementation is very interesting to watch and learn from. So, there is nothing wrong if you come and follow this procession of traditional rituals that are still preserved.
Discomfort or circumcision ceremony
This Western Javanese culture still takes place today, i.e. the ceremony of separation or circumcision. This traditional ceremony is performed with the aim of removing all the dirt from the living creatures of the circumcised bride, so that it becomes clean. You can see this culture in many areas.
This culture is associated with Islamic religious beliefs, where one of the requirements of Muslims is to perform circumcision ceremonies for both men and women. This ceremony is performed so as not to be embarrassed later when the boys are 6 years old and the girls are children.
This ceremony is usually performed by inviting circumcision parasites, relatives and neighbors. Therefore, there will be festivals in this traditional ceremony, so that the circumcised bride feels happy and the pain can be relieved after cleaning her creatures, because sometimes.
Many customs from the West Java region are still preserved and you will be interested to know more about them. If you have a family from West Java, you should be familiar with some of the above mentioned West Javanese customs.