Torch War in Jepara, Central Java

One of the "scariest" popular ceremony that held in Jepara, Central Java, is Torch War. About 50 person will face to face, holding flaming torch, then hit each other with the torch. Even it is quiet scary, but this tradition has become one of the most fantastic tourist attraction in Jepara.

This tradition has started long time ago. In early 16th century, in Demak Sultanate in Jepara district, there was a small village called Tegalsambi. There was a wealthy man in the village called Kiai Babadan. Since he had a lot of cows and bulls, he asked his neighbor - Ki Gemblong - to look after his cattles. But Ki Gemblong did not look after it very well. Soon, all cows and bulls were lose its flesh and sick. After know the condition of his cattles, Kiai Babadan was very angry. He made a torch - made from coconut midrib and flamed it - then confronted Ki Gemblong. Ki Gemblong also prepared the same torch. And not long, both of them were fight each other using the torch. The fight between them make the animal's stable destroy, but did not make the animals died in flame. Surprisely, all of them were cured.

Since then, people from Tegalsambi - which are the descendant of Kyai Babadan and Ki Gemblong's family - did the ceremony called Torch War (Perang Obor). The ceremony means to repel the evil spirits that bring harmed and illness.

The War ceremony usually held in every Tuesday Pon night (date's name based on Javanese calender) in Dhu al-hijjah's month (the sacred month in the Islamic Calender). It is starting with Wayang Show and the parade of  hereditary items, such as The Sword of Gendir Gambang Sari, statue,and encient perforated drum (Beduk Dobol). All those items were believed as the heritage from Sunan Kalijaga - one of saint of Islam in Indonesia - to Kebayan Tegalsambi (the first leader of Tegalsambi village).

The main tools on this ceremony are dried coconut midribs (called Blarak) and banana leaves, tied them both into a big torch handle. All players - usually 50 persons - are wearing same uniform that covered their and head. The war will started on 8 pm, then each of the participants hit each other use the torch. The rule of the game is simple: Whenever any one of them raise the torch, then it means he is ready and any of the participants can hit him until his torch is damaging or the participants put down his torch on the ground (means "surrender").  The participants can be replaced by others as long as the total players are unchanged.

During the game, there will be any one who will suffer for fire burn. Usually The Torch Handler (Pawang Obor) will cure them use "Londoh Water" - which is a water that believed can cure any burn that occur during the war.

The Torch War has become one of the most attractive tourist object in Jepara, Central Java for the past 10 years. If you have intention to see and participate on the ceremony, come to Jepada on May or Jun. The ceremony usually did on that time. You can also check the schedule to your travel agent for further details.


Let's burn some hell......!!!!!!