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Time stops at Tinthir Festival in Karanganyar village
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'Ogoh-ogoh' at the Tinthir Festival. (JP/Stefanus Ajie)
T
he darkness of the night and the cold air began to surround Demping, a small village located on the slopes of Mount Lawu, Karanganyar, Central Java.
That night, the place was not as bright as most nights, as electric lights all over the village were turned off and replaced by hundreds of tinthir, traditional lamps that use kerosene fuel. This beautiful village atop the slopes of the mountain was definitely a sight to see in the twilight, adorned with yellowish red light and flickering stars against the clear night sky.
The scene on July 23-24 was part of the Tinthir Festival, a regular event held every Wuku Wayang on the Javanese calendar.
The festival opens with a prayer at Punden Desa, by chanting the Puja Mantra led by Mangku Djito, a Hindu priest who resides in Demping. Mangku Djito then leads the Buta Yadna ceremony by marching ogoh-ogoh (giant demonic statues made of bamboo and paper) around the village, an act to symbolize the expulsion of negative energy in all its forms from Demping.
Read also: Preserving Barongan performing arts in Plosorejo, Karanganyar
After enjoying the opening ceremony, visitors to the Tinthir Festival begin to head toward the corners of Demping; their path only illuminated by oil lamps. Inside the homes of residents, they sell traditional food such as nasi jagung (corn rice), bothok (vegetables cooked with grated coconut), gethuk and gondomono (cassava based cakes). Visitors can also enjoy jamu (herbal drinks); perfect to keep the body warm as visitors walk in the village's chilly air.
As they enjoy the wide selection of traditional delicacies in the yards of the locals’ homes, visitors can enjoy traditional performances including the reog (traditional masked) dance, the Jaranan dance and Karawitan music.
Mangku Djito explains that the Tinthir Festival is an event that showcases local wisdom for visitors. The light of the lanterns amid the darkness of the evening in Demping is a symbol for the light of virtue that emanates from the heart, and all the rituals performed are expressions of hope for peace in the village, as well as peace for Mother Earth.
Aside from offering entertainment, the festival, which has been held four times in Demping village, also invites visitors to stop time for a moment. The festival invites visitors to escape the hustle and bustle of our fast-paced world and enter a quiet, cool and peaceful rural atmosphere, one that encourages a moment of contemplation and the cleansing of the soul. (tha/kes)
