Bandung village celebrates mother earth with tomato fight

Sun, October 23, 2016 / 12:04 am

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Bamboo helmets and shields are later used by participants in the tomato fight. JP/Arya Dipa
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Members of the event committee transport tomatoes to the fighting arena. JP/Arya Dipa
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Dancers pose with tomatoes in Cikareumbi Kampung of Lembang subdistrict in West Bandung regency on Oct. 19. JP/Arya Dipa
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A dancer adjusts her flower crown before the tomato fight begins. JP/Arya Dipa
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A participant selects the tomatoes he wants to use in the fight. JP/Arya Dipa
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Two participants gear up with bamboo helmets and shields before the tomato fight begins. JP/Arya Dipa
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The participants, mostly vegetable farmers, start to throw tomatoes at each other before villagers and visitors can take part in the fight. JP/Arya Dipa
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A participant with a bamboo helmet and shield signals the start of the tomato fight by dancing and throwing the first tomato. JP/Arya Dipa
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Locals and visitors are invited to take part in the fight by throwing tomatoes at each other. JP/Arya Dipa
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During the fight, everyone is allowed to throw in the direction they want as participants are not divided into groups. JP/Arya Dipa
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The organizers of the event prepared at least two tons of tomatoes that were too rotten for sale. JP/Arya Dipa
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The streets of Cikareumbi Kampung were covered in tomatoes after the fight ended. JP/Arya Dipa

Held annually since 2011, residents of Cikareumbi Kampung of Lembang subdistrict in West Bandung, West Java, took part in a tomato fight to honor and show gratitude to mother earth.

The tomato fight, an expression of gratitude for the crop harvest, was held on Oct. 19 to close the three-day long event. Villagers also invited visitors to participate in a carnival prior to the main event.

The fight symbolized both the efforts and hopes to shoo away bad fortune while also praying to God to be kept away from negative things.

The fight used only rotten tomatoes that could not be sold, just like in years past.

The use of rotten tomatoes started off due to an overabundance of tomatoes in the village. In this year's tomato fight, the organizers managed to collect at least two tons of tomatoes.

Besides its philosophical background, the event was also aimed at promoting agro-tourism in the area, which is situated on the northern side of the capital city of Bandung. (rin)