Ngarot traditional art
ngarot tradition / women wearing flower crowns from Indonesia
Ngarot is a tradition that still exists in one area in Indramayu, West Java, Indonesia, precisely located in Lelea village.
Ngarot in Sundanese is known as "ngaleueut", which means drinking or enjoying a meal.
Ngarot itself has the meaning of giving thanks for the arrival of the rice planting season, and for Ngarot in 2023, the Lelea community will hold it in December,
In 1985, a legendary shop called Kapol founded a tradition that we often hear about, namely Ngarot.
In ancient times, this figure was known to have voluntarily donated 26,100 m2 of rice fields as a form of realization of the Ngarot event for the Lelea community.
According to parents in the Lelea area, they told stories about Ki Kapol not having children and as proof of his love for the village youth, he donated a plot of land to be cultivated by young people.
For people who participate in this event, such as local people, women and men who are still single.
In the Ngarot event the girls looked beautiful and added an even more beautiful impression to their heads. These girls wore crowns made from various kinds of flowers, such as ylang ylang flowers, the fragrant smell of these flowers added a strong sacred atmosphere to the Ngarot procession, the girls who Participating in this event is often called a casinoman and the men wear traditional clothes, namely black camboran (traditional farmer's clothing)
During the Ngarot procession, gamelan music and wailing sinden vocals continue to accompany the Ngarot ceremony and there is a Ronggeng Tap Dance performance which is always held every year.
What is Ronggeng Tap Dance?
The Ronggeng Tap Dance in the Ngarot Ceremony in Lelea Village is a paired dance composition, which is an art that is similar to the Ketuk Tilu art in other areas. The name Ronggeng Tap consists of two words, namely Ronggeng and Tap. Ronggeng is a dancer who can sing and dance. The name Tap itself is related to the name of one of the instruments that accompanies this art, namely a cemplon or tap consisting of 3 pieces. The presence of the Ronggeng Tap Dance in the Ngarot Ceremony greatly influences the course of the ceremony, because the Ronggeng Tap Dance is one of the ritual tools in the Ngarot ceremony.
The Handover Procession Consists of:
1. Mr. Kuwu or the local village head hands over a jug filled with water, meaning the seeds are to be planted and distributed
2. Ibu Kuwu or the village head's wife hands over a jug filled with water, the purpose of which is to treat the rice plants that have been planted as a symbol of irrigation.
3. Village elders hand over fertilizer, the intention is to ensure the plants remain fertile.
4. Raksa Bumi handed over agricultural tools, the aim of which was to cultivate the agricultural land well.
5. Lebe or you could say religious leaders in Indramayu handed over pieces of yellow bamboo, androing leaves and banana leaves which would be stuck in the rice fields, with the intention of protecting the rice plants from pest attacks.
Ngarot is basically a traditional cultural art inherited from our ancestors, this tradition is celebrated every year, and is usually held at the village hall
with this tradition we can preserve one of the cultures in Indonesia, ngarot can also strengthen ties between communities, mutual cooperation, foster a love of farming, so that local youth continue to preserve it or can become farmers.
This is one of the arts in Indonesia, thank you for reading this article, see you in the next article
About the Creator
Enjoyed the story? Support the Creator.
Subscribe for free to receive all their stories in your feed. You could also pledge your support or give them a one-off tip, letting them know you appreciate their work.
Keep reading
More stories from writers in Art and other communities.
Tea set by a suffragette
Pankhurst is a name well known to the history of women’s suffrage. Who hasn't heard the name Emmaline Pankhurst, founder of the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU), an all-women organisation campaigning for the right to vote? The group that helped to achieve the right to vote for women in Great Britain and Ireland in 1918. Some know of her daughter Christabel, both being honoured by the Pankhurst memorial in Victoria Palace Gardens, London, right next to the UK Parliament buildings. Sylvia Pankhurst is notably not included in the monument. Why? Because she split with the WSPU to campaign against Britain's entry into First World War.
By Raymond G. Taylor24 days ago in Art
Rising Tides
Mira stood on the crumbling edge of the boardwalk, watching the relentless waves crash against the sandbags hastily piled along the shore. The ocean, once a source of joy and tranquility, had become a menacing force, gnawing away at the town she had always called home. She wiped away a tear, feeling the sting of salt and loss. This was the third time in a month that the sea had breached the barriers, flooding streets and homes, and each time, the water seemed to creep a little further inland.In the distance, she saw her father and a few other townspeople stacking more sandbags, their faces etched with weariness and despair. Her father had been a fisherman all his life, and she could see the pain in his eyes as he watched the ocean that had provided for their family now threatening to destroy everything they had. Mira knew she had to do something. She had to fight for her home, for her family, for the future.Determined, Mira turned away from the churning waves and headed towards the town hall. The council meeting was already in progress, and she could hear the raised voices even before she reached the doors. Inside, the atmosphere was tense. Mayor Harding, an older man with graying hair and a furrowed brow, was trying to maintain order.“We need immediate solutions,” he was saying. “We don’t have time for lengthy discussions. Our town is drowning.”Mira took a deep breath and stepped forward. “Mayor Harding, with all due respect, we need more than just temporary fixes. We need a long-term plan to combat climate change. This isn’t just about sandbags and evacuations.”The room fell silent, all eyes turning to her. Mira felt her heart pound, but she continued. “We need to reduce our carbon footprint, invest in renewable energy, and work with other communities to push for stronger environmental policies. We can’t keep reacting to the damage. We have to prevent it.”A murmur of agreement rippled through the room, but not everyone was convinced. Councilman Reed, a stern man in his sixties, shook his head. “Idealism won’t save us, Mira. We need practical solutions that we can implement now.”“Practical solutions are important,” Mira agreed, “but we can’t ignore the bigger picture. If we don’t address the root cause of the problem, we’ll be fighting this battle forever. And it’s not just about us. It’s about our children and their future.”Her words hung in the air, a poignant reminder of what was truly at stake. The council members exchanged glances, and Mira could see a shift in their expressions. Hope, tempered with the weight of reality, began to take hold.The meeting adjourned with a promise to form a committee dedicated to exploring sustainable solutions. Mira felt a glimmer of hope as she left the town hall, but she knew the road ahead would be long and arduous. She decided to rally the community, organizing workshops and inviting experts to educate them on climate change and sustainable practices.Days turned into weeks, and Mira’s determination never wavered. She spent every waking hour spreading awareness, speaking at schools, and organizing beach cleanups. Her efforts began to bear fruit as more people joined the cause. The community garden project, aimed at promoting local agriculture and reducing carbon emissions, became a symbol of their collective commitment.Amidst the progress, Mira’s father grew weaker. Years of hard labor and stress had taken a toll on his health. Mira often found him resting on the porch, staring at the sea with a mixture of longing and resignation. She would sit beside him, holding his hand, and they would talk about the old days, when the ocean was their friend.One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the water, her father spoke softly. “You’re doing good work, Mira. I’m proud of you. But promise me, you won’t forget the joy this ocean once brought us.”Mira blinked back tears. “I won’t, Dad. I promise.”As winter turned to spring, the town’s efforts began to pay off. Solar panels adorned rooftops, wind turbines dotted the landscape, and the community garden flourished. The town was not only surviving but beginning to thrive, a testament to their resilience and determination.But the battle was far from over. Climate change was a global issue, and Mira knew that their small town’s actions, while significant, were just a drop in the ocean. She reached out to neighboring towns, forming alliances and advocating for stronger environmental policies at the state level. Her voice grew louder, gaining recognition and support.One morning, as Mira prepared for another trip to the state capital to speak before lawmakers, her father passed away peacefully in his sleep. The loss hit her hard, but she drew strength from his memory, from his love for the sea and the land. She vowed to continue the fight, not just for her town, but for every community facing the same challenges.Years passed, and Mira’s efforts blossomed into a statewide movement. Policies changed, industries adapted, and a new generation grew up with a deep respect for the environment. The coastline stabilized, and the town that once stood on the brink of disaster became a beacon of hope and resilience.Mira often walked along the shore, now fortified with natural barriers and thriving ecosystems. She would pause at the spot where her father used to fish, feeling his presence in the salty breeze and the rhythmic lull of the waves. The ocean, once a source of fear, had reclaimed its place in her heart as a symbol of beauty and strength.In the end, it wasn’t just the sandbags or the policies that saved them. It was the unyielding spirit of a community that refused to give up, led by a young woman who believed in a better future. Mira knew the fight against climate change was ongoing, but she also knew they had made a difference. And that, she thought, was worth every tear, every struggle, and every moment of hope.
By Babatola sefiu a day ago in Art
The Harvest
Koyi wobbled to her shabby wood and straw kaz, holding her machete and an old burlap bag with some yams. Someone had laid another basket in front of the patched up door—rose apples today. They were a bright reddish pink, looking waxy and crisp, just the way she liked them. The culprit knew her very well. Those would be crunchy, juicy and sweet—she could tell—but she gathered all the will she could muster and pushed the basket aside to enter her home. She had already said no repeatedly and would not be taking bribes.
By Lily Séjor2 days ago in Fiction
Comments (1)
Very interesting! Really cool!