Seren Taun 655th: Blessing for the Indigenous People in Kasepuhan Banten Kidul

Kasepuhan Gelar Alam is one of the Kasepuhan Indigenous Peoples in the Halimun-Salak Mountains region. Administratively, Kasepuhan Gelar Alam is located in Sinaresmi Village, Cisolok District, Sukabumi Regency, West Java. Seren Taun 655th at Kasepuhan Gelar Alam, with the theme "Nyoreang Alam Katukang Nyawang Alam nu Bakal Datang".

Baris Kolot at the moment Seren Taun 655th in Kasepuhan Gelar Alam

Previously, Kasepuhan Gelar Alam was named Kasepuhan Ciptagelar. Even though the Ciptagelar traditional village has moved and changed its name to Gelar Alam, in terms of customs or cultural preservation, there is nothing different, it still carries out the legacy of ancient ancestors or elders.

Gratitude thanks to the rice harvest during Seren Taun

Seren Taun is a traditional harvest ceremony that is routinely carried out by the Kasepuhan traditional community in the Banten Kidul region after the rice harvest. Seren Taun comes from the words Seren and Tahun. In Sundanese, Seren means to submit. Meanwhile, the word Taun means year. In other words, Seren Taun is a handover procession of last year's harvest for the coming year. This ceremony is held regularly every year and is attended by all village residents. A ritual that has existed for hundreds of years as an expression of gratitude for the harvest that has been obtained. Especially from agriculture and plantations. Today, people still adhere to the traditions of their ancestors. Ritual activities that have been going on for hundreds of years are still maintained and are a special attraction. Moreover, this activity can unite the three traditional Kasepuhan in the district Sukabumi. These include Kasepuhan Ciptamulya, Sinaresmi and Gelar Alam.

Landscape of Imah Gede Kasepuhan Gelar Alam from the top of the hill

Saturday, August 12 2023, in the morning we traveled by motorbike to Sukabumi from Bogor. The journey takes 3 hours to Pelabuhan Ratu. The access route to Kasepuhan Gelar Alam from Pelabuhan Ratu is via an uphill rocky path. The rural atmosphere with rice field landscapes makes this trip very comfortable.

Food dishes and fruit are served on a long dining table for guests who come to Imah Gede. Not surprisingly, people who come are free to take food.

At night, the atmosphere at Kasepuhan Gelar Alam becomes even busier. Cultural performances complement the harmonious atmosphere of this thanksgiving event. Traditional dances, gamelan, Sundanese drama and wayang golek attract the attention of visiting tourists from various regions.

Photo with Abah after the Sundanese drama performance

Various dance performances decorated the evening event

The cold air forced us to wake up in the morning. The people and guests who came were already busy talking on the terrace of Imah Gede Gelar Alam. Don't forget, we immediately tasted the coffee that was prepared as a brew early in the morning. 

The highlight of the Seren Taun ceremony is the Ngadiukeun procession; tradition of storing rice in Lieut Ageung. Various activities are carried out during the Kasepuhan Gelar Alam traditional procession, such as saresehan with Baris Kolot Kasepuhan, Dongdang art performances, Dogdog Lojor, Debus art performances, Laes, Lisung, Rengkong, Gondang Buhun attractions, Tani Dance, and lolongok created by Incu Putu Kasepuhan which enliven this event.

Ngadiukeun procession

Indeed, this event as an expression of gratitude can be shared with those around you. Rice, which is a major human need as a source of food, makes it important for the environment. From Kasepuhan Gelar Alam we can learn, culture can teach what it means to be "sufficient".

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