Indonesian tradition the earthalms (Sedekah bumi) Local culture in Brongkol Central Java Indonesia

The earth alms (Sedekah Bumi)  tradition at the top of Kelir hillside in Brongkol

           The earth alms are conducted by the resident of Lereng Kelir  at Brongkol, sub-district of Jambu, Semarang district, it is conducted as their gratitude for God’s blessing and God’s giving for human needs.

This tradition starts with walking approximately for 1,5 kilometers in the height of 1200 meters above the sea level to the peak of Kelir hillside which runs by the local residents. Many people walk together and bring (Gunungan) such as Nasi tumpeng, fruits, and vegetables which are agricultural products. The residents who took part in the parade will do prayer as a form and expression of their gratitude for the abundant harvest, grateful for the natural beauty that can be created as a tourist attraction. This earth alms tradition was ended by the fight over the Gunungan which are contained by foods, fruits, and vegetables and it ends with eating together.

The Earth alms (Sedekah Bumi) and cleaning the village is a cultural tradition inherited from the ancestors for hundreds of years ago. In the Hindu period, the ritual was called the earth or sea alms. And in the Islamic period, especially the Walisongo period, the rituals of the earth offerings were not eliminated but were used as a means to preserve or broadcast the teachings of Islam and Faith. In the past these rituals were presented for nature but, the saints changed this order, they presented these rituals for the poor and orphans without distinguishing ethnicity, religion, race, and class.

Tha earth alms tradition according to Talcott Parsons is carried out by the residents of Lereng Kelir, Brongkol Village as a means of social balance. Because the function of this earth alms is to unite the community and to increase solidarity. Because of this function, the tradition of earth alms still surviving in Brongkol Village from time immemorial until now. Because the main concern of the Brongkol Village community itself is to increase the solidarity of the people.

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e-mail : sekretariatdesabrongkol@yahoo.com