TRADITION CEREMONY FROM BANYUWANGI

Tradition ceremony of Seblang

Tradition ceremony of Seblang is one of tradition ceremony socialize Osing which can only be met in two countryside in environment of subdistrict Glagah, Banyuwangi, namely countryside of Bakungan and Olesari. This Ritual is conducted for a clean need of countryside and refuse army, in order to the countryside remain to on the safe side and peaceful. This tradition ceremony is same as tradition ceremony Sintren in region Cirebon, Jaran Kepang, and Sanghyang in Bali Island

Management dance Seblang in two the countryside also differ its time, in countryside of Olesari carried out by one week after Idul Fitri feast day of ramadan, while in countryside of adjacent Bakungan, carried out one week after Idul Adha

All dancer selected by supranatural by local soothsayer, and generally the dancer have to be selected from clan dancer of previous seblang. In countryside Olesari, the dancer is girl which shall not yet adult, while in Bakungan, the dancer is woman of age shall 50 year to for which have menopause.


Dance Seblang in fact represent very old tradition, difficult till traced a genesis strarting of. But, history note indicate that Seblang first knew by Semi, what also become exponent dance first Gandrung woman ( dying year 1973). After getting over the illness, hence promise by her mother ( Mak Midah or Mak Milah) even also have to be fulfilled, Semi finally made seblang in age younger till after stepping on adolescent start to become dancer Gandrung

Dance Seblang is started with ceremony opened by the expert in conquering animals or countryside soothsayer. The dancer closed her eyes by all mother residing in her behind, at the same time hold tempeh (big saucer from bamboo). The soothsayer fumigate the the dancer with smoke incense at the same time read incantation. After the dancer kesurupan (not awake x'self or despicable in local term), with sign fall her mentioned tempeh, hence the show even also started. The mentioned despicable seblang dance with movement monoton, she close her eyes and follow direction of the expert in conquering soothsayer and also played rhythm music. Sometime also circle countryside at the same time dance. After some llama dance, then the seblang throw shawl furled up at audience, audience incured the shawl have to will dance with the Seblang. Otherwise, hence he/she of pursued by Seblang until will dance.

Attendant music of Seblang is only consisted of kendang, kempul or gong and two saron. While in Olesari countryside added with violin as adder of musical effect. From facet dress, dancer of Seblang in Olesari countryside and Bakungan countryside have a bit of difference, specially at shares of omprok or crown. Dancer of Seblang in Olesari countryside, omprok generally is made from the frond of banana which made a small length minimize till close over some of dancer face, while tabletop given the fresh flower which generally taken away from garden or area about funeral, and added with a small glass put in middle shares of omprok

Dancer of regional seblang of Bakungan countryside, omprok weared very look like omprok weared in the theatre of Gandrung, just only the substance weared is made from frond of banana and decorated by the fresh flower even do not as much dancer of seblang in Olesari countryside. From other side unsure mystique, this ritual Seblang also give entertainment amusement to all and also visitor local citizen, where a lot of humorous scene presented by the dancer of seblang.