Thanksgiving for the water

Tue, November 6, 2018 / 03:44 pm

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Male villagers dressed in traditional costumes carry clay water jugs and cone-shaped offerings on carts during the Syukuran Banyu (Thanksgiving for the Water) ceremony. JP/Magnus Hendratmo
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A clay water jug is filled with water from the Pluneng water spring prior to the parade. JP/Magnus Hendratmo
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A cone-shaped offering is paraded. JP/Magnus Hendratmo
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Another cone-shaped offering of vegetables is ready to be paraded. JP/Magnus Hendratmo
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Villagers ignore the scorching heat during the ritual. JP/Magnus Hendratmo
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The parade continues at the Pluneng water spring. [JP/Magnus Hendratmo
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A man and a woman ride on rafts during the Sri Mulyono and Sri Mulyani performance, depicting the harmony of the water spring in Pluneng village. JP/Magnus Hendratmo
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Villagers dive into the water, creating sounds from splashing the water, which is locally known as ciblon. JP/Magnus Hendratmo

Magnus Hendratmo

Pluneng is the name of a water spring in the Kaliworo Valley at the foot of Mount Merapi in Central Java. The name Pluneng is a combination of two words, nyempung (diving) and seneng (happy). Locals say whenever they bathe in the water spring they feel happy. During bathing, they usually create sounds by splashing the surface of the water.

People living in the village – located in Kebonarum district, Klaten regency, Central Java – have long used the water from the Pluneng water spring. They see it as a blessing from God and therefore hold the annual Syukuran Banyu (Thanksgiving for the Water) ceremony.

On Oct. 7, locals held the ceremony to express their gratitude to God. This year’s theme was “Banyuku Resik, Uripku Resik” (My clean water, my clean life).

During the hot day, the villagers held a parade carrying clay water jugs toward the water spring. A total of 18 offerings shaped into cones were also carried.

The three villages of Ngrundul, Malangjiwan and Pluneng have benefited from the water spring. They have also been able to develop the site for tourism, in addition to holding the Merti Banyu festival – an art and cultural festival to celebrate God’s blessings. [yan]