Penti and Pa'u Tuak Curu in Manggarai Tribe

By, Febri Wengke

(photo; personal documentation)

The term Manggarai is not a foreign thing for us Indonesian people because the term Manggarai names two places that we often hear, including in Jakarta, there is a train station called Satsiun Manggarai and one is in East Nusa Tenggara, precisely on the western part of Flores island, namely the Manggarai tribe which covers three districts. namely East Manggarai, Manggarai, and West Manggarai. Apart from that, this section specifically discusses the Manggarai tribe which is one of the tribes carried by the Manggarai people from the three districts mentioned above. This time the author discusses two traditional events owned by the people of the Manggarai tribe, including "Penti" and "Pa'u Tuak Curu."

Penti

Penti is an annual event held by residents from several villages in Manggarai. Penti is held in November, as an event of gratitude to God who has been passed down from generation to generation for the harvest that has been obtained. Apart from being a ceremony for the harvest, Penti is also held to celebrate togetherness or strengthen peace between villagers. So every Penti celebration event, all village residents gather together to celebrate Penti, both those who live in the village and those who live in other villages or other areas are called to join in the Penti event. The ceremonies that are united in the Penti celebration include; offerings to God and ancestors "teing hang", the ritual of inviting ancestral spirits and cleansing of the "barong wae" spring, the ritual of inviting the spirit of the gardener "barong lodok", the togetherness dance "cogka sae" and traditional games or matches using the whip"caci."

Pa'u Tuak Curu

Pa'u Tuak Curu is one of the habits of the Manggarai people in welcoming guests who visit a village. This method is done as an expression of gratitude to God that the visiting person arrived safely. Also as a tribute to the welcome for their presence. It is said that Pa'u Tuak Curu is usually held for the arrival of the kings in Manggarai. Because of the development of human civilization, the royal system no longer exists. So now the Pa'u Tuak Curu event is held, if there are high-ranking government guests such as the President, Minister, Governor, Regent and religious officials such as Bishops and Pastors or Priests. Aside from being a respect, this custom is also done to give a reflection, that the arrival of the guest is accepted and provides comfort.

These are two events of Manggarai tribe as Penti and Pa,u Tuak Curu that author purpose on this specific part of writing. hopefully useful for those read and if anyone else who know more about these two events, the criticism and suggestion are welcome to discuss.

#tribe #manggarai #penti #pa,u tuak curu #travellover #travelblogger

Nyepi Day in Bali, March 28th 2020

By, Febri Wengke

Nyepi day is one of the days that I have been waiting for, as continued my life journey in Bali. During four years I have been in Bali to continue my way of life as to work and study. On that time too I have four times to celebrate the Nyepi day as the day of silent. That Nyepi is one the ceremony in Hindusm in one year that to reflect our life. I’m sorry I can’t give deeply understanding about Nyepi , but what that I have simple perspective about Nyepi is quietness and changing. In the previous that third time Nyepi that I have passed, despite I haven’t got deeply feeling on Nyepi. Cause of I have just thinking that Nyepi is just to being quite of village or community to leave away from daily activity.

(Photo: personal dokumentation at Besakih Tample)

For all of family even whoever them as must to stay together at home, not everyone to get out of home, even not to do anything outside of home, even though just to walk down the street. Likewise of mine that I have been wander off in Bali that just to stay simple in the private monthly boarding house. Every moment of Nyepi day I am going to my family in Denpasar to join as to celebrate together. Indeed gather with family at the times like that very valuable, break bread, joking, stories, laughter together, and the others noise. Until we were forgot to deepen the peace of that Nyepi day. What the essence to do at the moment of Nyepi day? That thing loss of our mind. 

Back to what I have experienced at the moment of Nyepi day in this year, I have begun to feel calmness and happiness, also a little renewal. Because on the Nyepi day at this time I changed my perception that I have lonely, calm, silent, and pray that what I have did during the Nyepi day. With that I have begun to think  about Nyepi day that as not only to; empty out of road, to calm the village, stay together with family, and just stay at home. Not! But at the moment of Nyepi day I have tried to  stay calm, pray, empty out of myself. I have tried to deeply feeling in essence of my spirit and body from all of the activity that I have did so solid, even though the problems that I have got so burden. From everything that I have done on that Nyepi day, I have felt and permeated the real of Nyepi day, which has given me freshness, renewal, and happiness. Suksuma, Rahajeng Rahina Nyepi.