Traditional roof tile factory workers flaunt toned muscles for coveted Jatiwangi Cup

Mon, September 23, 2019 / 04:57 pm

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A participant rubs his body with coconut oil before competing in the 2019 Jatiwangi Cup at the Dua Saudara jebor, Burujul Kulon, Majalengka, West Java. JP/Arya Dipa
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Some of the 68 competitors in the 2019 Jatiwangi Cup wait their turn to perform at the tile drying area of the Dua Saudara jebor in Burujul Kulon, Majalengka, West Java. JP/Arya Dipa
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Competitors take to the stage during the 2019 Jatiwangi Cup bodybuilding championship at the Dua Saudara jebor in Burujul Kulon, Majalengka, West Java. For the first time since it was first staged in 2015 the annual championship was held at night because it coincided with the Islamic Day of Sacrifice. JP/Arya Dipa
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People pass the entrance door of the Dua Saudara jebor in Burujul Kulon, Majalengka, West Java, where the 2019 Jatiwangi Cup bodybuilder championship was being held as a way of improving solidarity among the workers of some 200 traditional roof tile factories in Jatiwangi district. JP/Arya Dipa
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The 2019 Jatiwangi Cup bodybuilding championship for jebor workers offers total prizes worth Rp 10 million and a rotating trophy presented by the Jatiwangi Art Factory. The winning jebor has the honor of hosting the championship the following year. JP/Arya Dipa
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A competitor flaunts his biceps by lifting a number of roof tiles during the 2019 Jatiwangi Cup bodybuilding championship at the Dua Saudara jebor in Burujul Kulon, Majalengka, West Java, recently. The winner of the championship is not allowed to compete in the next championship. JP/Arya Dipa
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Participants await the announcement of the winners of the 2019 Jatiwangi Cup bodybuilding championship for roof tile factory manufacturers held at the Dua Saudara jebor, Burujul Kulon, Majalengka, West Java, recently. All participants received gifts and money as a form of appreciation for their participation even if they were not among the best three. JP/Arya Dipa
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Participants in the 2019 Jatiwangi Cup bodybuilding championship dance en masse as the band Lair performs at the Dua Saudara jebor in Burujul Kulon, Majalengka, West Java, recently. The annual championship has become an entertaining event for locals of different ages. JP/Arya Dipa
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Each competitor has his own style of flaunting muscles as he poses in front of the team of judges during the 2019 Jatiwangi Cup bodybuilding championship at the Dua Saudara jebor, Burujul Kulon, Majalengka, West Java. The team comprised four judges who were previous champions of the Jatiwangi Cup, held since 2015. JP/Arya Dipa
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The annual bodybuilding championship for roof tile workers was held at night for the first time in 2019 because it coincided with the Islamic Day of Sacrifice. JP/Arya Dipa

Arya Dipa

Jatiwangi Art Factory, a local community focusing on the study of village art and cultural life, has been organizing a bodybuilding championship since 2015, for workers in jebor (traditional roof tile factories) in Jatiwangi subdistrict of Majalengka regency, West Java.

Since 1905, Jatiwangi has been known as the center of roof tile production, and is currently home to some 200 jebor.

During its golden years in the 1980s and 1990s, a jebor could bake at least 17,000 roof tiles a day. Nowadays, however, the production is substantially reduced.

“We organize the championship to declare that we are still here. Jatiwangi is still here,” the chairman of the 2019 Jatiwangi Cup’s organizing committee, Illa Syukrillah Syarief, said on the sidelines of the championship held at the Dua Saudara jebor in Burujul Kulon, Majalengka, recently.

Illa said that aside from being a friendship forum, the championship also aimed to encourage locals to write the history and the journey of their civilization. “Big industries are coming in. West Java’s international airport is also built here. We have to get ready to declare who we are,” said Illa.

The Jatiwangi Cup, held annually every Aug. 11, sees jebor staff compete against their rivals in other factories. The winning jebor hosts the tournament the following year.

This year’s Jatiwangi Cup was competed in by 68 participants, with eyes on prizes worth Rp 10 million (USD 710) in total for the champions and 30 best bodybuilders.

Illa said that the championship conveyed the message of reminding local people and roof tile producers to carry on processing the clay with dignity.

Meanwhile, Jatiwangi Art Factory organizes exhibitions and residence programs for foreign artists or researchers. One of the objectives is to help Jatiwangi residents realize that they may run out of clay one day.

“That’s why we have to manage it with more dignity so that when one day we are washed away by the industry, our future generations will note that we tried to fight in our own ways,” Illa said. [mut]