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......!!!!!!  

Orangutan - Exclusive Great Ape from indonesia

One of the most inteligent primates is Orangutan and it is the only exclusive Kalimantan's living genus of great ape. The word "orangutan" comes from the Indonesia words (orang = man /people; utan = forest), hence "Man of the Forest". Generally, they are not aggressive and live mostly in solitary life foraging for food. Typically, they have reddish-brown long hair with longer arms than other great apes.

Orangutan height averages from 1 to 1.5 meters, with average weights between 35 - 110 kg or more. They have similar hands with human's hands. They can grasp things with both of their hands and feet. Ficus fruits are their favorite food because it's easier to digest.

Recently, there are two kind of Orangutan's genus that still available : Borneon Orangutan (Pongo pugmaeus) and Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii). According to IUCN Red List of Mammals, both genus are listed as critically endangered animals. The total number of Borneon Orangutan is less than 14% from the recent past. Most of Orangutan were killed because of forest and habitat destruction dueto logging, mining, and forest fires.

A number of organisation are working for the rescue, rehabilitation, and reintroduction of Orangutans. One of the non-profit NGO (Non Governmental Organisation) who has dedicated themselves to the consevation of the endangered Bornean Orangutan is The Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) Foundation. Founded by Dr Willie Smits in 1991, this Indonesian company has taking care more than 1,000 orangutans and employing more than a thounsandpeople at a hundred sites in Kalimantan to save orangutan. They operated a lot of large projects, such as Samboja Lestari Forest Rehabilitation Program and Nyaru Menteng Rehabilitation Program. Both program is managed by Lone Droscher Nielsen. BOS can be considered as the biggest primated conservation NGO worldwide.

Samboja Lestari itself is an area that created intentionally by BOS as tropical rainforest. It located Kutai District, near the city of Balikpapan, East Kalimantan. The aim of this rehabilitation is to providing save haven for rehabilitated orangutan, while at the same time providing a source of income for local people. With 2,000 hectares ofdeforested and degraded land,Samboha has become oneof the biggest rehabilitation area for Orangutan and other endagered species of birds and primates.

If you have interest to know more about Orangutan and other rare birds, you can take eco-tourism that bein held by Tourist Department of East Kalimantan. You will see the exotic part of orangutan and the fresh rainforest.