DEBUS MISTIC TRADITION of JAVA BANTEN

MARTIAL ART OF JAVA DEBUS

After enchanting the mantra “I forbid you to touch my skin, I forbid you to drink my blood, I forbid you to consume my flesh, strains strong as led, bones as strong as steel, skins of metal, out of my mother’s I was born. I testify that there’s no other God beside Allah!”. At the same time, he pierced a long dagger on to his arms, stomach, thigh, and other parts of his body. He even grab a small child and slashed his neck without leaving any scar that could endanger the child’s life.

The attraction was known as Debus. It was said that the ancient art originated from a certain region called al Madad. The art evolved as time passes and developed through out the people of Banten as a form of entertaintment. The essence of the art still shows a lot of martial art moves as well as the use of weapons. The art of Debus focused more on making a persons body to be unaffected to sharp objects’ attacks. Debus existed for more than hundred years. It came as Islam’s teaching started to spread in Banten. The art started as a tool to spread out Islam’s teaching, but when the time of invasion of Holland came—also when the Great Sultan Agung Tirtayasa ruled the land—the art was used to rise the people’s sense of patriotism. Due to the lack of weaponry against Holland which was well equipped and fully loaded with guns, the only “weapon” that the people of Banten have was their heritage of Debus. And they used it with their guerilla strategy.

In the Arabic language, Debus has the meaning of metal-based sharp weapon. It has a round-like pointed edge. Using this kind of tools the “players” of Debus are usually being hit numerous time without having any injuries. These are common attraction you can see in a Debus performance: Piercing a person’s stomach using sharp objects or a spear, Slicing a person’s body using a long dagger with or without leaving any scar, literally eating a flaming firewood, piercing long needles through skin, tongue, and between cheeks without staining any blood. More over they slice certain part of their body until they bleed, but instantaneously healed. They also “bathe” themselves with acid leaving their clothes deteriorate, but their skin and body aren’t damaged at all. Sometimes they chomp pieces of glasses and some other razor-sharp objects.

In doing so, players have to fulfill certain terms and conditions. They have to perform a ritual led by their master. Usually they have to do it 1-2 weeks before the performance. Players must have a strong faith in Islam teaching. There are several forbidden things for them in order to safely perform Debus. They are: Not to drink liquors of any kind, not to gamble, not to submit to lust for women, and not to steal. Players are to act without hesitation. Any form of dishonouring the terms and conditions could bring the players life at stake. According to history, Debus has a very close connection to Islam’s teaching. The essence is very ample with religious philosophy. If God permit for such thing—unable to be hurt by sharp objects or even by bullet—than anything is possible.

It’s unfortunate that their quantities are decreasing through the years due to their youngsters prefer other activities as their source of living. Other causes are the fact that these performances are very dangerous. A lot of the players were injured during a performance due to lack of practice or somebody simply playing a “prank” with them. As time passes, the art became lessen. In the old times, we could watch Debus almost in all areas in Banten, but now we can only see it in certain event. It’s a heritage which has been crushed by the flow of time.

CULTURE, TRADITION and MISTIC OF JAVA

MISTIC, CULTURE and TRADITION OF JAVA
YOGYAKARTA – INDONESIA

2009

KEJAWEN

Kejawen is derived from the word jawa, means the same with java. Kejawen is tradision of java people in spiritual or mistic, ex; like exercise or ritual for get some magic power and spiritual purpose. In kejawen belief like Jagat Alit, which tells the process of life from the start to the end with all human characteristics, and Jagat Ageng tells the life and society, where a leader of society must have consciousness and a belief to the Creator. Kejawen will guide us to know who, our come from and where we’ll go leter after world life.

Kejawen have many ritual for get mistic/magic power or spiritual power, like java meditation, sedulur papat or 4 jinny power, lelaku or laku ngebleng or no eat in 24 hour for 3 days, after 3 day laku ngebleng some one will get mistic/magic power, topo mendem or stop all activity and work then focus for ritual mendem in the jungle, mantra or magic word, for doing some thing in shadow like doing in other world or soul world or jinny world.
Power belief in kejawen people, ex; like cakra power or center of body major power, prana or magic power from cakra, sedulur papat or 4 jinny guard, pusaka or magic weapon full power with prana or jinny, bolo sewu or a thousand gohst/jinny guard for finishing some mistic work. Sesajen or instrumen for deep ritual misic like collecting rose flower, jasmine flower etc.

JAVA MANTRA

Mantra is magic word and have power full for some thing. So many jav mantra, for example;

Mantra semar mesem for get love from some one;
Ingsun amantak aji
Ajiku, aji semar mesem
Tak sejo kanggo si jabang bayi
Guya guyu sak tekaku
Mesam-mesem sak lungaku

Mantra olah rasa for get focus in ritual java meditation;
Byar sumebyar padang
Padang cipto sumebyar padang
Padang roso sumebyar padang
Toto titi tentrem cipto roso ingsun

Mantra for get love from women (for man only) ;

Dedeg ku Nabi Adam kaula, rupa ku Nabi Yusuf kaula, sora ku Nabi Daud kaula,
ya isun hu Ya Latif Ya Latif, ya isun hu Ya Latif Ya Latif, ya isun hu Ya Latif Ya Latif,
maung wuyung datang nguyung, oray kisi datang numpi, pangnepikeun angin peuting,
ka ngaran ……………, sina ngahurun balung, sina ngahuleng jentul,
ulah lelet ka diri batur, iwal ka diri aing, rep sidep, rep sidep, rep sidep ka diri awaking

MOUNT MERAPI

Mount Merapi is recognized as an active volcano in Indonesia. Geographically Mount Merapi is located on the border of Regency of Sleman. It is about 35 Km northward of keraton Yogyakarta.

To understand the mythology of Mount Merapi, one cannot forget the philosophy of the city of Yogyakarta with Kraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat as the main issue. This city is devided by an imaginative line from Laut Kidul - Parangkusumo - Panggung Krapyak - Kraton - Tugu Pal Putih and Merapi. Philosophycally, there are two aspects, known as Jagat Alit and Jagat Ageng.

Jagat Alit, which tells the process of life from the start to the end with all human characteristics, is described with the planology of Yogyakarta as the "Kota Raja". Planology shows the line from the south to the north which is started from Panggung Krapyak, and ended on Tugu Pal Putih. This puts the relationship between the Creator and human being as the creation (Sangkan Paraning Dumadi).

Jagat Ageng tells the life and society, where a leader of society must have consciousness and a belief to the Creator. Jagat Ageng is described with an imaginative line from Parangkusuma - Kraton Yogyakarta - Merapi.

Mount Merapi takes an important position in Java mythology, believed as the center of spirit kingdom, "swarga pangrantunan", with a deep relation to the imaginative line from Laut Kidul - Panggung krapyak - Kraton Yogyakarta - Tugu Pal Putih - Merapi. It symbolizes the meaning of human life from birth to death.

Kraton Merapi was ruled by Empu Rama and Empu Permadi. Before the life of human being, the world was not stable. Batara Guru gave order to those Empu to make keris, as a sacred weapon of Island of Java to make it stable. However, in the middle of the creation, the Gods needed to move Mount Jamurdipa from the South Sea to the center of Java Island, where the two Empu was doing the keris. "Sabda Pendhita Ratu" (one word one action) makes them to refuse the Gods, then they went to the battle. Empu won the battle.

Batara Guru then told Batara Bayu to punish those Empu by moving Mount Jamurdipa by wind to the northward and exactly dropped upon the fireplace and buried Empu Rama and Permadi alive. The story goes on with a myth that Empu Rama and Permadi are not dead but changing their physical form and rule the Kingdom of ghosts. Since then their spirit is belived ruling the kingdom on Mount Merapi. People of Kraton Merapi is the community of spirits who lived well. For those who did not do anything good, the spirit will fly to anyplace and stay on something such as bridge, valley until the end of the days.

LABUHAB CEREMONY of JAVA TRADITION
MOUNT MERAPI LABUHAN CEREMONY

Labuhan Ceremony is tradition from yogyakarta every one year, like Mount merapi labuhan ceremony and parang kusumo beach labuhan ceremony. The word labuhan is derived from the word labuh, means the same with larung, i.e. throwing away something into the water (of mount, river, sea, etc). In this case Labuhan means giving some offerings to the spirit who posseses a certain place. The giving of offerings is performed in quite many types of way, according to the place where the labuhan ceremony takes place.Before the Labuhan ceremony starts, there will be selamatan or kenduri (a ritual asking for successfulness and well-being) in the house of juru kunci (the keeper, person in charge of the area). Some food from the selamatan will be brought together with the Labuhan items to the certain place of performing the labuhan, by walking on foot. Another selamatan is performed again there. The labuhan place locates on kendhit (mid slope) on the southern part of Merapi Mountain. The items or offerings for the Labuhan are placed on a box, and the juru kunci will take the empty old box of last year’s Labuhan ceremony and replace it with the new box of this year’s.
Labuhan on Mount Merapi is dedicated to:a.

1. Empu Romob.
2. Empu Ramadic.
3. Gusti Panembahan Prabu Jagad (Sapu Jagad)d.
4. Krincing Wesie.
5. Branjang Kawatf.
6. Sapu Anging.
7. Mbok Ageng Lambang Sarih.
8. Mbok Nyai Gadhung Mlatii.
9. Kyai Megantoro

The items that are thrown (dilabuh):a.

1. Sinjang (a long piece of cloth) of Limar, 1 sheetb.
2. Sinjang Cangkring, 1 sheetc.
3. Sumekan (kemben, a cloth used to cover body from the breast) of Bangun Tulak, 1 sheetd.
4. Sumekan Gadhung, 1 sheete.
5. Destar (kind of scarf to cover the head), 1 sheetf.
6. Penyingset (kind of belt, made of cloth) udaraga, 1 sheetg.
7. Penyingset jingga, 1 sheeth.
8. Kambil watangan, 1 sheeti.
9. Kampuh Poleng, 1 sheetj.
10. Ses (cigarettes) wangen, 1 contongk.
11. Selo (kemenyan), ratus (perfurmed powder) and konyoh (param, balm), 1 pouchl.
12. Yatra (money) tindih of Rp 8.33, put in 1 envelopem.
13. Pelana kuda (horse saddle), 1 set; this one is only in the year of dal (according to Javanese calendar)After reciting a prayer lead by juru kunci, the Labuhan ceremony is over.

PARANG KUSUMO BEACH LABUHAN CEREMONY

Exactly on the tingalan dalem day (a day specifically set for certain agenda, in this case, Labuhan), Kawedanan Ageng Punakawan Widya Budaya prepare the details to be set off (‘dilabuh’). Each details of the labuhan offerings is put into small wooden boxes. Since some of the boxes will be buried near the big stones of Parangkusumo beach and some others will be thrown away to the sea, they must be marked carefully by the widya budaya employee. The giving of offerings in Parangkusumo beach is performed in two ways, first burying in the ground, 2nd throwing away to the sea. The articles which are buried near the big stones of Parangkusumo beach are:a. Pieces of nail-cuts (called kenaka) of Sri Sultan which have been collected within the year. b. Pieces of haircut (called rikma) of Sri Sultan.c. Old, used clothes of Sri Sultand. The used stuff of Sri Sultan such as the Songsong (umbrella).e. Layon sekar, a quite amount of flowers, having been been dried out, taken from the flowers of offerings used in the heirlooms of Keraton, which have been collected for the whole year.The articles which are thrown away into the sea are of two groups:a.
The offerings dedicated to Kanjeng Ratu Kidul, consist of:

1. Sinjang (a long piece of cloth), 1 sheet
2. Sumekan (kemben, a cloth used to cover body from the breast), 1 sheet
3. Sinjang Cangkring, 1 sheet
4. Sinjang Solok, 1 sheet
5. Sumekan Gadhung Mlati, 1 sheet
6. Sinjang Gadung, 1 sheet
7. Sinjang Udaraga, 1 sheet
8. Sinjang Jingga, 1 sheet
9. Sinjang Bangun Tulak, 1 sheet
10. Wangkidan Kuluk (hat) of Kanigara, 1 piece
11. Wangkidan Pethak or Putih (white), 1 piece
12. Songsong Gilap, 1 piece
13. Gelaran Pasir kesasaban mori (kind of cloth), 1 sheet
14. Selo (kemenyan) and konyoh (param, balm), 1 pouch
15. Arto (money) tindih of Rp 8.33, put in 1 envelopeb.

The offerings dedicated to the guard (Patih luar, the outer Chief Minister) of Nyai Rara Kidul:

1. Sinjang Poleng, 1 sheet
2. Sinjang Tuwuh Watu, 1 sheet
3. Sumekan Dringin, 1 sheet
4. Sumekan Songer, 1 sheet
5. Sumekan Pandhan Binethot, 1 sheet
6. Sumekan Solok, 1 sheet
7. Sumekan Podhang Ngisep Sari, 1 sheet
8. Sumekan Gadhung Mlati, 1 sheet
9. Sumekan Bangun Tulak, 1 sheet
10. Selo (kemenyan), ratus (perfurmed powder) and konyoh (param, balm), 1 pouch
11. Pethi sapetadhahan, 1 piece
12. Lorodhan Agem Dalem, the used stuff formerly belonged to Sri Sultan, 1 set
13. Layon sekar, an amount of flowers, having been dried out, taken from the flowers of offerings used in the heirlooms of KeratonThis labuhan ceremony is lead by the juru kunci of Parangkusumo beach, that is Bapak Bekel Puraksolono.

After juru kunci finished reciting the prayer, the abdi dalems whose duty is to throw away the offerings set off to the sea. They then throw the offerings to the sea, and the audience will soon throw themselves to the sea, trying to be ahead of the others, to try to get part of the offerings. Many people believe that the offerings possess supernatural power which will make their life blessed.

KERIS

Keris does not like the other traditional weapons, which are some what regional, it can be said there is a keris and used in almost all corners of the country. Keris word came from, or riris, or the edge of a small sharp-pointed and sharp. Even if it can not be sure when the first developed in the archipelago, Keris has been estimated to have since the development of the art metal developed. Keris is the work of the multi-material and multi skill / expertise, the keris is a merging of art hammering on metal lath, packaging art / jewelry on mendak, selut and its pendok, and wood sculpture at the upstream and warangkanya. Some elements are generated by well-skilled hands and work are combined into a beautiful, high quality of the values simbolnya.
The most famous pusaka or heirloom for Javanese people is keris. In the old days, keris was owned by almost everyone in the society and mostly used as weapons. A man was not considered as a real man if he has no keris. Keris, considered sacred and contains specific magical powers, is highly valued, treated and respected with special care.
A keris or kris is a special knife, a double-edged assymetrical stabbing weapon originating in Java which is used in a close range combat. It has spread its influence far beyond its initial beginnings to Bali, Lombok, Kalimantan, and even to Brunei. From a stabbing weapon it has developed into a social status symbol and a symbol of manhood. According to Javanese keris lore, the development of keris can be assumed to take a parallel course with the kingdoms of Java. Unfortunately myth and fact are also intertwined that it is sometimes difficult to separate the two.
Some keris has been constructed entirely for magic and spiritual purpose. The creation is a long and complicated magical ritual which involves the blending of the metal with magical ingredients and the invoking of a powerful jinn/khodam spirit into keris. After keris has been created, the spirit is continually fed, so it gradually grows more powerful. They are often passed down from generation to generation. Our keris go back as far as the 8th century, when the most powerful magical knives and swords were made. They have become extremely potent through magical and spiritual usage and continuous feeding.
What gives keris its power is the genie (also known as Khodam or Jinn) that resides in it. The genie, or jinn, is a magical spirit that normally exists in a parallel dimension. The different powers will also reflect in the different ways of using them. Some are more suitable for experienced magicians, and like to be held in rituals, in which case they will add great power to the ritual. Some keris are easier to use by the beginner. You only have to hold it and visualize your desire and the jinn will work on fulfilling that desire. Others were created as family protectors, and can be used with no magical knowledge at all. All you have to do is hang it on the wall and feed it once a month and it will work quietly in the background, protecting you from harm, or drawing in wealth and good luck. There are some that can be carried on the person to confer authority on the carrier, silencing opponents and making you successful in all debates and interviews.
A keris can be used as a magical and spiritual aid in reaching and manifesting one’s desired goals and aspirations. The spirit which dwells within keris supports your daily aspects in terms of luck, wealth and health and interactions with people. The empus have created these magical blades with the thought that they will empower one’s aura and assist in one’s quest for desired qualities and enhancements in life. These are all infused into the item during its creation and these can all work to successfully aid one’s spiritual development.
Keris as the symbol of the glory of a historical era can be seen by its shape and its art. The older keris, the simpler the shape, the ornaments, and the function would be. The early function of keris is as a weapon to defend oneself, to preserve one’s life, and to function as a close range weapon. Preceding the development of culture and art, the shape of Keris changed according to the need and it’s contribution to human’s life, among others it could indicate the social status of the owner of keris. Keris also functions as the symbol of power (Wahyu Keraton).
Keris has two kinds of shape: straight keris and meandering keris. There are approximately 200 kinds of straight Keris and 250 kinds of meandering keris. The meander is called luk. Meandering Keris always has odd numbers of meander, from luk 3 up to luk 29, above luk 29 that is luk 31 up to luk 51 are the kriya artwork from outer Java.

MISTIC of PARANG KUSUMO BEACH

The western part of Parangtitis, where the Labuhan ceremony is held every year is called Parangkusumo. People believe that the beach is the meeting place between the kings of Mataram and Kanjeng Ratu Kidul, the Goddess of the South Sea. Every night, especially on Monday and Thursday “Wage” or “Kliwon” night both are term of specific period day in Javanese calendar many people come to do this meditation.

GHOST OF JAVA MITHOLOGY

POCONG GHOST

A pocong is a Malaysian/ Indonesian ghost that is said to be the soul of a dead person trapped in their suit. The pocong suit (shroud) is used by Muslims to cover the body of the dead person. They cover the dead body with white fabric called mori and tie the clothing over the head, under the feet, and on the neck. According to the native beliefs, the soul of a dead person will stay on the earth for 40 days after the death. When the ties aren't released after 40 days, the body is said to jump out from the grave to warn people that the soul need the bonds to be released. After the ties are released, the soul will leave the earth and never show up anymore. Because of the tie under the feet, the ghost can't walk. This causes the pocong to hop.

KUNTILANAK GHOST

The Pontianak, Kuntilanak, Matianak or "Boentianak" (as known in Indonesia, sometimes shortened to just kunti) is a type of vampire in Malay folklore, similar to the Langsuir. Pontianak are women who died during childbirth and became undead, seeking revenge and terrorizing villages. In folklore, Pontianak usually announces its presence through baby cries or turn themselves into beautiful lady and frighten or kill the unlucky who enter or pass through their vicinity. It usually disguise itself as a beautiful young lady to attract its victim (usually male). Its presence sometimes can be detected by a nice floral fragrance of the ‘kemboja’ (a type of flower) followed by an awful stench afterwards. The distance of a pontianaks cries are very tricky. The Malays believe that if the cry is soft means that the pontianak is near and if it is loud then it must be far.

JENGLOT

The appearance is like a tiny human doll with long hair and appears to be alive. It is usually described as a mythical creature and some say the Jenglot was actually a human body. A jenglot is a type of mysterious creature or vampire in Indonesian and Malaysian culture and mythology. Jenglot is a small human-like creature, usually around 10-15cm with long nails. The hair on its head is said to be able to grow over time. The face of a jenglot is shaped like a skeleton or a zombie. This creature has been found with joined feet, which makes it look like a mermaid.
Jenglots are mostly found by native psychics after they have performed a supernatural ceremony. Jenglot is a mystical creature found in Indonesia, especially in Java. Jenglots can be found everywhere, from under the ground, on a wrecked house roof, and even in the trunk of a huge tree.
Jenglot keepers feed their creature with blood, either animal blood (goat) or human blood. A person who feeds the creature with human blood buys the blood legally from the Indonesian Red Cross. The jenglot is said to not drink the blood directly. The person places the jenglot near the blood, but the jenglot doesn’t even move or touch the blood. It is said that the jenglot will get the nutrients of the blood in their own way.

TUYUL

Tuyul is described as a tiny creature. This ghost is used to steal money and then given to the boss as the caretaker. The boss must run some ritual to make its activity running smoothly. My grandpa says that it likes to play with turtles. All you have to do just put the turtles let it plays and you can caught Tuyul easily. It isn’t that easy I think.