Delod Berawah Makepung Circuit

The Tradition of Makepung: The Heart of Delod Berawah's Culture

The main activity that forms the axis of this circuit is Makepung. Etymologically, Makepung comes from the word "kepung" which means to chase. This tradition originated from farmers filling their free time after harvest with buffalo races while plowing fields. However, at Delod Berawah Circuit, this activity has transformed into a grand cultural festival.

The main uniqueness of Makepung at this circuit lies in its ornamentation and aesthetics. The competing buffaloes, called Kebo Pepadu, are adorned with magnificent rumbah (head decorations) and uwer (small flags). These buffaloes pull a wooden cart called a Cikar, ridden by a skilled jockey. Delod Berawah Circuit witnesses how the synchronization between humans and animals is tested on a challenging track of 1.5 to 2 kilometers.

Traditional Arts Preservation and Development Programs

Delod Berawah Makepung Circuit functions as a cultural laboratory where various Jembrana arts are performed. Programs at this cultural center include:

1. Jegog Jembrana Performances: Before the races begin, the booming sound of Jembrana's giant bamboo music, Jegog, usually echoes around the circuit. This music energizes the participants and entertains tourists. The circuit serves as an important stage for local Jegog groups to showcase their skills in dynamic bamboo percussion art.

2. Cikar Craft and Buffalo Accessory Education: Around the circuit area, there are artisan communities that focus on making Cikar and buffalo decorative carvings. Educational programs are often held for local youth to learn wood carving techniques and traditional ornament assembly so that these skills are not lost to time.

3. Young Jockey Training (Papak): Becoming a Makepung jockey requires courage and special techniques. Delod Berawah Circuit is a training ground for young jockeys under the guidance of seniors. They learn how to control the buffaloes with a penitik (wooden stick) without excessive harm to the animal, as well as techniques for maintaining balance on the Cikar.

Integration of Spiritual Values and Community

The uniqueness of Delod Berawah Circuit as a cultural center lies in the integration of spiritual values in all its activities. Before the races begin, a Ngerebeg ritual or communal prayer is held at the temple around the circuit to pray for safety and the smooth running of the event. This shows that Makepung is not just a sport, but a form of gratitude to God for the abundant harvest.

Community involvement is organized through the Blok system. In Jembrana, the Makepung community is divided into two large groups: West Ijo Gading Blok and East Ijo Gading Blok. Delod Berawah Circuit often serves as a neutral meeting ground or host for healthy competition between these two blocks. This community structure strengthens social bonds among villagers throughout Jembrana, making the circuit a point of social integration.

Main Festivals and Important Cultural Events

Two major events that are always anticipated at Delod Berawah Makepung Circuit are the Bupati Cup (Bupati Cup) and the Jembrana Cup. However, the pinnacle of all activities here is the Governor Cup. At this festival, thousands of pairs of buffaloes from various parts of Jembrana gather.

During these events, Delod Berawah Makepung Circuit transforms into a creative market. Besides the races, visitors can enjoy Jembrana's signature culinary festivals, such as authentic Jembrana Ayam Betutu with its distinctive spicy flavor, as well as exhibitions of local MSME products. This festival is not only a cultural promotion event but also a driver of the creative economy based on tradition.

Cultural Education and Youth Engagement

The circuit management collaborates with the local government and schools in Jembrana to make Makepung a part of the local content curriculum or cultural extracurricular activities. Students are invited to visit the circuit to learn about buffalo anatomy, the history of the tradition, and the philosophical values behind the ornaments used.

These efforts are crucial because amidst modernization, the interest of the younger generation in the agricultural sector is declining. By making Makepung a prestigious lifestyle through this circuit, Jembrana's youth can still feel proud of their farming cultural roots. They see that being a buffalo owner or a jockey is a symbol of social status and a guardian of regional honor.

Role in Local Cultural Development

Delod Berawah Makepung Circuit is a symbol of cultural resilience. Amidst the onslaught of mass tourism in South Bali, Jembrana, through this circuit, offers an alternative of authentic cultural tourism. The existence of this circuit necessitates infrastructure development in the surrounding villages without losing their pristine rural characteristics.

The circuit also encourages cultural research and documentation. Many art researchers and anthropologists come to Delod Berawah to study the social dynamics of Jembrana's agrarian community. Documentation on Cikar making techniques and buffalo training patterns is now being compiled thanks to intensive activities at this circuit.

Preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage

Through the designation of Makepung as Intangible Cultural Heritage (WBTB) by the central government, the responsibility of Delod Berawah Makepung Circuit has increased. This circuit serves as the last line of defense for the purity of this tradition. Here, traditional rules (awig-awig) in Makepung are still maintained, such as the use of specific types of wood for Cikar and the prohibition of auxiliary tools that can cause permanent injury to the animals. This aligns with the concept of Tri Hita Karana, which is maintaining harmonious relationships between humans, fellow beings, and the environment (animals).

Conclusion

Delod Berawah Makepung Circuit is a representation of the resilient, creative, and religious spirit of the Jembrana people. As a cultural center, it has succeeded in transforming a simple farmer's hobby into a world-renowned performance art masterpiece. Through educational programs, the preservation of Jegog art, and consistent festival organization, this circuit ensures that the sound of buffalo hooves on Delod Berawah's soil will continue to be heard into the future, carrying a message of pride in identity amidst changing times.

This circuit is not just a place to race, but a living monument where tradition is preserved with love, sweat, and honor. For anyone who visits, Delod Berawah Makepung Circuit offers a profound inner experience of how a community maintains its ancestral heritage to remain relevant and powerful on the global stage.