Explore the uniqueness of the various traditions of the Osing Banyuwangi Tribe which are full of cultural meaning, from traditional ceremonies to enchanting performing arts.
Banyuwangi, a regency located at the eastern tip of Java Island, is not only known for its natural beauty, but also rich in culture and tradition.
One of the tribes that inhabit this area is the Osing Tribe, which has a number of unique traditions that are still maintained and preserved to this day.
The Osing tribe is known as a tribe that holds fast to their customs and culture, even though they are in the midst of strong outside cultural influences. Here are 7 unique traditions owned by the Osing Banyuwangi Tribe, which are full of meaning and life values.
1. Gandrung Sewu Ceremony
Gandrung Sewu is one of the most famous performing arts traditions from Banyuwangi. This ceremony involves hundreds of female dancers wearing traditional Banyuwangi clothing, while dancing to gamelan music.
Gandrung Sewu is usually held in September, to coincide with the Gandrung Sewu Festival which is held every year. This ceremony is a symbol of respect for Dewi Sri, who is believed to be the goddess of rice and fertility.
In addition, Gandrung Sewu is also a means to celebrate the big harvest and maintain community harmony.
The dancers in Gandrung Sewu demonstrate their skills with enchanting dance movements, which symbolize the balance of nature and life. This tradition not only showcases dance arts, but also reflects cooperation and unity in the Osing Tribe community.
2. Kasada Ceremony on Mount Bromo
Although Kasada is better known as a Tengger tribe ceremony, the Osing Banyuwangi tribe also celebrates this ceremony with great solemnity.
The Kasada Ceremony is an annual ritual performed by the Tengger people around Mount Bromo, with the aim of asking for blessings and safety from Dewi Roro Anteng.
Every year, in the month of Kasada, the Osing and Tengger people flock to climb Mount Bromo and give offerings in the form of agricultural products, such as vegetables, rice, and even livestock.
Although this ceremony originated from the Tengger community, the Osing Tribe of Banyuwangi often participates, due to the cultural and historical closeness between the two tribes.
Kasada for the Osing Tribe is a tradition that reminds them of the importance of the relationship with nature and the need to maintain balance in life.
3. Waisak Ceremony at the Great Temple of Blambangan
Pura Agung Blambangan is the largest Hindu place of worship in Banyuwangi, and is the center of the Waisak ceremony celebration for the Osing Tribe.
Waisak is a major celebration for Buddhists that celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha. In Banyuwangi, although the majority of the population is Muslim, the Osing Hindus celebrate Waisak with great enthusiasm.
This ceremony is carried out with a ritual filled with prayer, meditation, and incense burning. The Osing community, who are Hindu, also plays a role in this ceremony as a form of respect for Buddha.
Waisak in Banyuwangi is not only a religious ritual, but also a symbol of peace between religious communities in the region.
4. Sea Alms Tradition
The Sea Alms Tradition is a traditional ceremony performed by the Osing Tribe as a form of gratitude for the abundant sea produce. This ceremony is usually held along the coast in the Banyuwangi area, where fishermen pray together to ask for safety and blessings in fishing.
They offer offerings in the form of food, such as tumpeng rice, chicken, and seafood, to the sea as a form of respect and gratitude.
Sea Alms is also an event to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood between coastal communities. With this tradition, the Osing people teach the importance of protecting nature, especially the sea, as their source of life.
5. Tradition of People’s Feasts in the Independence Day Traditional Ceremony
The Osing Banyuwangi tribe has a unique way of celebrating Indonesia’s independence. Every August 17, in addition to participating in the national flag ceremony, the Osing people hold a lively folk festival.
This folk festival consists of various traditional competitions, such as sack races, tug-of-war, and cracker-eating competitions, which are participated by people of all ages. This tradition aims to strengthen relationships between residents and celebrate freedom with joy.
This ceremony is also a form of celebration of the cultural diversity in Banyuwangi. In this way, the younger generation of the Osing Tribe is reminded of the importance of appreciating the struggle for independence and respecting the diversity in Indonesia.
6. The Merti Hamlet Tradition
Merti Dusun is a tradition to clean the village or hamlet carried out by the Osing Tribe as a form of gratitude and a request for safety for all residents.
This tradition is carried out every year by involving the entire local community. Merti Dusun usually begins with mutual cooperation to clean the environment, followed by joint prayers and offerings in certain places considered sacred by the community.
Through Merti Dusun, the Osing Tribe teaches the values of mutual cooperation and togetherness. In addition, this tradition also teaches the importance of preserving nature and the environment as part of their gratitude to God.
7. Osing Saman Dance Art
Saman Osing dance is a form of traditional dance owned by the Osing Banyuwangi Tribe. This dance is usually performed at traditional events, religious ceremonies, or cultural festivals.
Saman Osing Dance has dynamic movements and involves many dancers who collaborate with each other in every movement. The accompanying music for this dance uses typical traditional musical instruments, such as drums and gongs.
The Saman Osing Dance is not only a form of entertainment, but also a medium to convey moral messages and togetherness to society. Every movement in this dance contains symbols of life, such as unity, hard work spirit, and respect for nature.
Banyuwangi with its Osing Tribe offers various traditions rich in meaning and life values. From traditional ceremonies to performing arts, the traditions of the Dayak Tribe reflect the depth of their culture that remains sustainable even though the times continue to develop.
By learning and celebrating these traditions, we not only appreciate the richness of our culture, but also keep our cultural heritage alive in every generation.
