Wonderful Mount Bromo Sand Ocean and Kasodo Traditional Ceremony
Bromo Mountain lies at ± 2100 meters from sea level. Bromo Sand ocean is the main tourist spot. In this chilly air, we see the great desert and grassland. While the most awaited of Mount Bromo is amazing view of sunrise and sunset, when these two natural phenomena can be accurately determined from Mount Bromo.
Tengger Tribe is the origins of Mount Bromo. Tengger tribe approximately has been living in Mount Bromo since 929 century. During that time, a village named Wandalit which lies in Tengger mountain range was inhabited by a Hulun Hyang (God’s servant = pious).
The area around it was called hila-hila (sacred). It is said that Tengger in the past, during Majapahit era, Tengger was a special land which was freed from all kinds of taxes.
Once in a year the Tengger Tribe is holding a Yadnya or Kasodo ceremony as part of their culture. This ceremony is held in a Pura ( Hinduist sacred temple) in the hillside of the mountain then continued to the top of the mountain.
Kasodo ceremony is held every year in moonlight of month Kasodo ( the 10th month in Javanese calendar). Kasodo ceremony has been a part of Tengger tribe culture and believe.
Through this ceremony, the Tengger asks for abundant harvest and keeping off of illness. The traditional ceremony is very unique. It contains people who throw sacrifice of agriculture/harvest products like foodstuff ( rice, corns, potatoes, etc) into the crater of Mount Bromo, while the other part of the society are getting into the crater steep, and catch the sacrifices from above.
The fight for grabbing the sacrifice has become a very interested, challenging, and horrible too in once. The grabbing of the sacrifice is believed as taking as a symbol of getting blessing from God.
Bromo Mountain National Park has been the conservatory of some seldom/protected flora and fauna. Some among them are : jamuju (Dacrycarpus imbricatus) ; Mountain Pine (Casuarina sp.) ; Edelweiss (Anaphalis javanica) ; some kinds of orchids and rare kind of grass called Styphelia pungieus.
Makepung Annual Buffalo Race of Bali
Makepung is an annual event, held in Bali, Indonesia. “Makepung” in Balinese language that can be translated as “the pursuit of a second”. Makepung was first held in 1970 and so far a number of changes in rules has been made. Makepung was originally played by farmers during their dormant agriculture in the rice fields.
The buffalo in this game are stringed in a carriage. But today, Makepung, used a few buffalo and a smaller carriage size. The buffalo involved in the game are accessorised in a more stylish head-crown from flowers, some rattan, etc. Green flag are set on both sides of the carriage during the Makepung race.
Compared with other types of buffalo racing games, Makepung has a very clear rule.
If in other racing events winner (s) is based on the first participant entered the finish, Makepung’s winner is taken when each participant is able to keep a minimum distance of 10m away from the struggling behind him. In keeping distance less then ten meters, then the second participant is the winner of the race.
The Old City Iwakuni and Wonderful Kintai Bridge of Japan
Japan is famous for many things, Mount Fuji and Sakura Flower are some things that have been so identical to this country. Not only that, Japan is famous for its culture and traditional architecture as inheritance of Japanese historical ages. It is the Kintai Bridge and Iwakuni castle, two of the abundant destination that can be seen in Japan.
Iwakuni Castle has fantastic surroundings and architecture. It is open to tourists all year round. Iwakuni looks like an old Japanese culture; we can see numerous narrow streets, old-fashioned buses, quaint shops and old houses. Iwakuni Castle is a home of a strange white snake. The city itself offers fantastic fishing experience, especially in summer.
The city is surrounded by mountains and just one walk through the graceful Kintai Bridge charms most tourists. The Iwakuni Castle lies in Kikko Park. Kikko Park is a home of the natural wonder, the white snakes, which can only found in Iwakuni. It’s situated at the top of a small Mountain that can be reached by foot or cable car.
Kintai (Brocade Sash) Bridge is 210 meter long, and five meter wide and it draws millions of tourists every year to take pictures of such beauty. It was built in 1673, and it took almost a year to build it. Its main attraction is amazing wooden arches. The arches are replaced every 30 years but the technology of changing them is still the same. Kintai Bridge is amazingly illuminated at night. When you visit Japan, don’t forget to try sushi.
