TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
International Tour de Banyuwangi Ijen 2017 enters last stage
Participants from 29 countries were seen wearing traditional sarong, songkok and kopiah (a traditional male hat) before the competition started.
Change Size
ITdBI event ran from Sept. 27 to 30 with participants having to tackle the 533-kilometer route. (Shutterstock/File)
A
n unusual scene happened during the last stage of International Tour de Banyuwangi Ijen (ITdBI) 2017 on Sept. 30. Participants from 29 countries were seen wearing traditional sarong, songkok and kopiah (a traditional male hat) before the competition started.
“It’s surprising for me to wear this costume,” said Matthew Zennovich, a cyclist from New Zealand.
The costume is said to be related to the local pesantren (Islamic boarding school) tradition in Banyuwangi.
“We are introducing the unique Islam education in Indonesia that has a long history and champions for peace. The local youths who accompany the foreign tourists are tasked to explain about pesantren and its role in Indonesia,” said Banyuwangi Regent Abdullah Azwar Anas.
Read also: Picking edelweiss at highest point of Sumba Island
The fourth stage of the competition took place at Pondok Pesantren Darussalam, Blokagung. The location was chosen due to its multicultural area. Around the pesantren, visitors could find local residents who are Hindunese as well as those who follow other religions.
“There has never been any religious conflict here, we respect and help each other in developing the area,” told the regent.
ITdBI event ran from Sept. 27 to 30 with participants having to tackle the 533-kilometer route. While competing, they got to see several tourist destinations in Banyuwangi, such as Watudodol Beach, Bangsring Underwater, Kakao Hamlet in Glenmore district, and the foothill of Mount Ijen that is famous for its blue flames. (kes)
