Batam (MidLand) – Residents of Chinese origin in Bali village in Batam city held a barge burning ritual in Cetya Upho Sukadarma, as an effort to preserve the cultural tradition of thanking and celebrating the birth of the war god Kie Hu Ong Ya.
“So this is the 25th time we have held the barge burning ritual,” Barge Burning Committee chairman Hendra Asman said in Batam City, Riau Islands on Monday.
The barge burning ritual in Batam City is a series of traditions celebrated by the residents of Chinese origin of Bagansiapiapi, which lasts for 3 days, namely from 20th to 22nd July, or in the Imlek calendar, 15th, 16th and 17th of the sixth month.
According to Hendra, the ritual began on the first day with a parade held by residents of Chinese origin, at the end of the event there was the tradition of burning the barges which took place on the evening of the evening call to prayer. In addition to the Chinese residents of Batam City, representatives of the Batam City Government and the Provincial Government of Riau Islands also participated.
This ritual begins with a prayer on the barge, residents arrive at the place of the event, then pray in front of the barge. After that begins the opening and then the ritual of burning the barge. The ship, with dominant red and yellow ornaments, about 3 meters long and 1 meter in diameter, was transported by a number of men wearing yellow uniforms.
The barge in the shape of a replica of the original Chinese ship was then transported and brought to the site of the fire, before the ship was filled with various types of religious objects, such as rice, wall clocks and many more. All these offerings are a form of gratitude from the Chinese people to the gods they believe in.
Read also: Barge burning ritual to be held again in Batam
This barge burning ritual is actually a tradition carried out by Chinese residents in Bagansiapiapai, Riau Province, every 15th, 16th and 17th of the fifth month of Chinese New Year. Unlike Batam City, it was held on the same date but in a different month.
“Because it is different, because in Bagansaiapai it is the fifth month. “Meanwhile in Batam we have made the sixth month, which is the birthday of Dewa Kie Hu Ong, as a protocol in Cetya Upho Sukadarma,” Herman said.
Cetya Foundation Chairman Upho Sekidarma Rudi explained that the tradition of barge burning began with the story of a number of people with the surname Ang from mainland China who went to sea on a barge to try their luck for a better life in the 1880s.
The journey of those who received requests from the Creator through the Fireflies landed the nomads at Bagansiapi-api.
“You know why it’s called Bagansiapiapi, because in the past there were so many fireflies in Bagan. “From the sea, migrants saw fireflies until they finally arrived in Bagan,” he said.
After settling in Batam, the life of these Chinese migrants improved, there was plenty of work, so they decided not to return to their hometown by burning the barge that had saved their lives.
“Why is it called Bagansiapiapai, because they are in the sea, in Bagan there are so many fireflies. “Fireflies emit light, so this barge follows the light of the fireflies until it reaches Bagan,” Aun said.
The Chinese believe that the ritual of burning a barge is a form of gratitude to God for the gift of sustenance given. And it becomes an impetus to ask for prayers related to the desires that are being pursued.
The ritual of burning barges is also a daily occurrence in Batam City area to increase tourist visits.
Batam City Culture and Tourism Department chief Ardi Winata said that the city government has a target of 3 million tourist visits by the Ministry of Tourism in 2024.
“During the four months of 2024, tourists in Batam City will continue to increase, the current figure is 500 thousand tourists,” Ardi said.
Batam City Government is optimistic about achieving the goal of tourist visits to Batam City.
Read also: Occurring during epidemic, Riau Task Force hesitates to allow barge burning
Journalist: Laily Rahmawaty
Publisher: Triono Subagyo
Copyright © MidLand 2024
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