Farmers' art party

Mon, August 1, 2016 / 05:13 pm

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People attend the 15th Five Mountain Festival in Keron village, Magelang regency, Central Java, on July 23. JP/ Albertus Magnus Kus Hendratmo
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Artwork is displayed at the Five Mountain Festival, such as this wooden mask. JP/ Albertus Magnus Kus Hendratmo
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A boy plays with a Wukir string instrument called Luku and Garu. The instrument, which produces natural sounds, is played at many international events. JP/ Albertus Magnus Kus Hendratmo
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The atmosphere of the 15th Five Mountain Festival. JP/ Albertus Magnus Kus Hendratmo
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Banyumasan dancers perform at the festival. JP/ Albertus Magnus Kus Hendratmo
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Children perform a dance illustrating the atmosphere during the Mount Merapi explosion in 2010. JP/ Albertus Magnus Kus Hendratmo
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Children watch a man spin a traditional bamboo top. JP/ Albertus Magnus Kus Hendratmo
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People of all ages watch artists perform at the 2016 Five Mountain Festival. JP/ Albertus Magnus Kus Hendratmo
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Nani, a Losari mask dancer, holds a 300-year-old wooden mask. JP/ Albertus Magnus Kus Hendratmo
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Nani, a Losari mask dancer, prepares to perform at the festival. JP/ Albertus Magnus Kus Hendratmo
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Ganjel Lumbung dancers hug themselves against the cold as they wait for their turn to perform. JP/ Albertus Magnus Kus Hendratmo
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Dancers perform a traditional Javanese lovers dance. JP/ Albertus Magnus Kus Hendratmo
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Children buy a traditional snack called cilok (meatballs) at the Five Mountain Festival on July 24. JP/Albertus Magnus Kus Hendratmo
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The Pala Kependhem parade winds through Keron village. JP/Albertus Magnus Kus Hendratmo
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A boy participates in the Pala Kephendem parade around the village. JP/Albertus Magnus Kus Hendratmo
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A Losari mask dance performance is staged during the Five Mountain Festival. JP/Albertus Magnus Kus Hendratmo
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Photographers take pictures of two dancers during the Five Mountain Festival. JP/Albertus Magnus Kus Hendratmo
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Residents take a selfie with traditional Jingkrak Sundang dancer during the festival. JP/Albertus Magnus Kus Hendratmo

The Lima Gunung Festival, or Five Mountain Festival, is an independent annual event held by farmers of the Five Mountain Community in Magelang regency, Central Java. The community farmers live on the slopes of five mountains, namely Merapi, Merbabu, Andong, Sumbing and Sumbing, as well on the Menoreh highlands in Central Java.

The 15th festival was held between Merapi and Merbabu mountains in Keron village, Sawangan subdistrict, Magelang from July 21 to 24. The event was preceded by an opening event at Wukir Mountain Temple in Kadiluwih village, Salam subdistrict, on July 19.

The theme of this year's festival was "Pala Kependhem" with earthworms as the mascot. The theme referred to the resilience and power of agricultural products, especially food crops grown underground, such as cassava and tubers, festival president Sutanto Mendut said in his opening speech.

During the festival, participating artists showcased varied performances such as traditional and contemporary music and dance, nature-based art installations, a cultural carnival, book launches and rituals.

The participants and villagers also conducted a Pala Kependhem parade on July 24 through the village. To end the parade, a seventh generation woman of the Losari mask dance troupe, Nani, performed a dance believed to be part of a ritual aimed to show gratitude for the abundance of nature. [RIN]

Photo: The Jakarta post/ Albertus Magnus Kus Hendratmo