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Babakan village hosts Pilemburan Arts Festival
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he people of Purwakarta living around the Cibulakan wellspring pool in Babakan village, Wanayasa district, recently held the Pilemburan Arts Festival.
The festival, held on Oct. 22, featured a range of Sundanese performances, including traditional tarawangsa music, longser folk theater, traditional terebang percussion and jaipongan dances. The festival was held near the square-shaped wellspring pool, which maintains its depth even in the dry season.
The wellspring is located at the center of the settlement and access to the place is only a one-meter wide alleyway.
During the festival, visitors were treated to several types of traditional Sundanese food and drink, while the soft sound of the tarawangsa lute helped create a serene atmosphere around the pool.
The soft sound of the traditional music blended harmoniously with the rustling of the tree branches as a soft wind blew through. Added to the soft sound of the tinkling water from the stream, nature seemed to come alive at the foothills of Burangrang Mountain.
The Babakan village head, Uci Sanusi, said the festival was part of the village’s traditional agenda of ruwatan (exorcising) the Cibulakan wellspring, which the locals see as a source of blessing for the people of Wanayasa.
"And it’s also to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Babakan village. The village record says that Babakan was founded in 1717, while the village administration was established in 1740," Uci told Tribun.
The atmosphere turned merry as several traditional comedians took to the stage and entertained the audience with the Sundanese brand of humor.
"We are translating the ideas proposed by the Purwakarta regent, Dedi Mulyadi. He reminded us about the need to preserve the wellspring, which has been a source of blessing for us. This symbolizes the union between man and water, meaning that we must be able to protect and preserve water,” Uci explained.
The event was also part of the program to promote tourism in the village. "The Cibulakan wellspring has clear water. Do come and have a fun water recreation here at Cibulakan," he enthused.
The head of the tourism office at the Transportation, Post and Telecommunications Department, Asep Supriatna, added that the Cibulakan wellspring was an alternative tourist destination at the foot of Burangrang Mountain.
"This is the first time we are holding this festival. It’s to promote the Cibulakan wellspring, which is already popular in the area for its clear and fresh water as it springs from Burangrang Mountain. We plan to make this festival an annual event," he said.
