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Malang's fisherfolk release ritual offerings into sea
This tradition, which is practiced in all fish markets across Java, is usually observed in September, the month of Muharram in the Islamic calendar.
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The fishermen's boats alternately pass through the area where the offering raft is released during the Petik Laut tradition in Sendang Biru beach, Malang, East Java, on Sept. 27.
(JP/Aman Rochman)
H
undreds of fishermen's boats could be seen docked at the port of Sendang Biru beach, Tambak Rejo village, Malang, East Java, on Thursday.
Instead of the usual activities of workers unloading fish at the fish market, people were flocking to the annual tradition of Petik Laut at the beach. Held for the 38th time, it is a traditional ceremony among fishermen, especially on Java, that includes releasing offerings to the sea in an expression of gratitude to God and request for blessing and protection.
Sendang Biru beach itself is one of the centers of fish producers in Malang's south sea, with catches including tuna sirip kuning (Thunnus albacares), cakalang (tuna), tongkol (Euthynnus affinis), lobster, ikan layang (Decapterus) and marlin. It is the livelihood of 70 percent of the village's 650 family heads.
This tradition, which is practiced in all fish markets across Java, is usually observed in September, the month of Muharram in the Islamic calendar.
Also known as larung sesaji, the ritual is started by preparing the boat that will carry the offerings and nasi tumpeng (cone-shaped rice) for 10 days using funds that are collected among the fishermen and village administration.
"The main characteristic of Petik Laut in this village is the offering of nasi tumpeng as high as 2 meters that requires 30 kilograms of rice prepared by the fishermens' wives. It is a symbol of maintaining solidarity, tolerance and collaboration among locals," said the event's committee head, 38-year-old Budi Ismianto.
After the preparations are completed, the offerings are then paraded from the village head's house to the port at 11 a.m., accompanied by participants donning costumes of dayang dayang (maid), soldiers of Ratu Loro Kidul, the mythical queen of the southern seas, and the queen herself. There are a couple of Javanese-style bride and grooms that symbolize the wishes of next year's catch, accompanied by gamelan music.
Read also: Nyai Roro Kidul: Between fact and myth
Prior to releasing the offerings into the sea, a prayer was said together with all the locals at the fish market that was decorated in a wedding-like style.
"Aside from our gratitude to God for the welfare that has been given to the locals of Sendang Biru through the richness of the sea, we continue this tradition of our ancestors as a form of respecting the ethics of fishermen to the ruler of southern seas, Ratu Loro Kidul, by asking for her permission before starting our fishing activities the next day," said Budi who himself is a fisherman. (kes)
