Osing Kemiren Tourist Village

Exploring the Civilization Traces of the Osing Tribe in Kemiren Tourist Village, Banyuwangi

Osing Kemiren Tourist Village is not just an ordinary holiday destination; it is the last bastion and a living cultural conservation center for the Osing tribe, the indigenous people of Banyuwangi. Located in Glagah District, this village is a meeting point between the long history of the Blambangan Kingdom and ongoing modernity. As a Cultural Center, Kemiren offers an immersive experience that engages all senses, from its philosophical traditional house architecture to the legendary aroma of its coffee.

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Traditional Architecture: Symbolism of Osing Traditional Houses

The visual identity of Kemiren Village is dominated by rows of distinctive Osing traditional houses. These buildings are not merely residences but representations of social status and life philosophy. There are three main types of roofs that characterize them: Tikel Balung (with four roofs as a symbol of prosperity), Baresan (with three roofs), and Crocogan (with two roofs for young couples).

The uniqueness of this structure lies in its knock-down system using wooden pegs without nails, reflecting local wisdom in facing potential earthquakes. Tourists can participate in architectural education programs to understand how the interior layout of Osing houses strictly separates public areas (bale) from private areas, reflecting the high value of politeness upheld by the local community.

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Performing Arts Traditions: Gandrung and Barong Ider Bumi

As a cultural center, Kemiren is the birthplace of various iconic East Javanese arts. One of the most prominent is the Gandrung Dance. In Kemiren, Gandrung is not only performed for entertainment but is also studied in depth through local studios. Visitors can witness the training process of young dancers wearing their distinctive golden omprok (headdress).

Besides Gandrung, the Kemiren Barong holds a sacred role. Unlike the Balinese Barong, the Kemiren Barong has wings symbolizing freedom and protection. This art culminates in the Barong Ider Bumi ritual, held every 2nd of Shawwal. During this event, the Barong is paraded around the village to ward off calamities (illness and misfortune). This ritual is a tangible manifestation of how the Kemiren community maintains social cohesion through religious artistic expression.

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Culinary Heritage and the Kopi Sepuluh Lare Ritual

Kemiren has a deep coffee philosophy: "Once Brewed, We Are Brothers." Through the Kopi Sepuluh Lare program, the village educates visitors about the tradition of roasting coffee traditionally using wood-fired stoves and clay pots. This roasting process, called ngoseng, ensures that the aroma of authentic Banyuwangi robusta coffee is preserved.

Every year, the village hosts the Festival Ngopi Sepuluh Lare, where thousands of cups of coffee are served free of charge along the village road. Wooden tables are set up in front of residents' houses, inviting anyone to sit and chat. Besides coffee, another must-try culinary delight is Pecel Pitik. This dish of grilled free-range chicken, shredded and mixed with peanut sauce and grated young coconut, was originally a ritual food served during thanksgiving ceremonies, but it has now become part of an educational culinary tourism program for visitors.

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Preservation of Intangible Heritage: The Mepe Kasur Tradition

One of the unique socio-cultural traditions found only in Kemiren is the Mepe Kasur (Mattress Drying) tradition. Leading up to the village purification ritual, all villagers simultaneously dry their mattresses in front of their houses. Uniquely, all these mattresses have the same colors: red and black. Red symbolizes courage and hard work, while black symbolizes eternity in the household. This collective activity is a form of symbolic and physical self-purification before entering a holy day. For cultural researchers, this phenomenon becomes an interesting case study on identity uniformity within a communal society.

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Educational Programs and Community Involvement

Osing Kemiren Tourist Village functions as a living cultural laboratory. The educational programs offered include:

1. Batik Workshop: Tourists are invited to learn about authentic Banyuwangi batik motifs such as Gajah Oling, shaped like a question mark as a symbol for humans to always remember the Creator.

2. Learning Angklung Paglak Music: Unlike West Javanese angklung, Angklung Paglak is made from large bamboo and played on a high platform (paglak) in the middle of the rice fields to entertain farmers.

3. Osing Language Literacy: Efforts to preserve the local language are made through teaching the Osing dialect to the younger generation and visitors interested in exploring Indonesian linguistics.

Community involvement in Kemiren is grassroots-based. The management of the tourist village is carried out by the Tourism Awareness Group (Pokdarwis), consisting of the village's youth and elders. This ensures that the commercialization of tourism does not erode original values but rather serves as a funding tool for cultural conservation.

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Kemiren's Role in Local Cultural Development

The Banyuwangi Regency Government has designated Kemiren as a "Living Cultural Heritage." This village plays a vital role in preserving the authenticity of the Osing identity amidst the currents of globalization. By being a cultural center, Kemiren provides a space for elderly artists to pass on their skills to millennials and Gen Z.

Furthermore, Kemiren serves as a benchmark for successful cultural branding in Indonesia. The village proves that the preservation of customs can go hand in hand with the improvement of the people's economy through sustainable tourism. Tourists are not treated as objects but as guests invited to "become Osing citizens" during their stay in residents' homestays.

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Tumpeng Sewu Traditional Ceremony

As a peak expression of gratitude, the Kemiren community holds the Tumpeng Sewu ritual. Thousands of tumpeng (cone-shaped yellow rice) are served along the village's main road at night. This ritual begins with a joint prayer at the tomb of Buyut Cili, the respected ancestor of the village. Tumpeng Sewu is not just about eating together but about equitable access to food and the elimination of social barriers between the rich and the poor. The warmth of torchlight and the aroma of incense create a magical atmosphere that transports anyone back to the past.

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Conclusion

Osing Kemiren Tourist Village is a portrait of harmony between humans, nature, and tradition. As a cultural center, it successfully fulfills a dual function: as a guardian of the Osing tribe's traditions to prevent them from fading, and as a window for the world to see the rich civilization at the eastern tip of Java Island. Visiting Kemiren is not just about watching performances but about feeling the heartbeat of a culture that continues to beat strongly amidst the changing times. Through every sip of coffee and every graceful step of the Gandrung dance, Kemiren continues to tell the story of the pride of being Osing people.