The Traditions in East Belitung
Traditions and cultures of particular areas take a significant role in the Spice Routes discussions. Tradition means habitual actions practiced for a long time, from generation to generation, that eventually become a part of the community’s life. In East Belitung, with the majority of Malay, spices take their role within the society.
The two communities in East Belitung are Urang Darat and Urung Juru. Urang Darat refers to those who live far from the city, and Urang Laut or Urang Juru belongs to those who live on the sea and coast of Belitung. The people of Belitung Malay who live on the coast hold the Selamat Laut rite, which aims at “tolak bala” [“ward off misfortune”]. It involves a hope to obtain God’s blessing in sailing and fishing so that they will get a rewarding catch. Urang Laut is commonly known as Sekang or Sawang tribe, and they tend to live a nomadic life.
The traditional game is one of the magnetic tradition’s components. We can find this traditional game—which has been played for generations—in East Belitung, such as Main Tuju Kepala Ular, which has various elements and values. This game came from the Riau Islands. However, the game is also common for the kids on the coast of Belitung. It is commonly played individually by 2-5 kids, all boys or girls, between 6-20 years old. They play it to spend their spare time using seashells or snail shells.
Alu Besantok, Traditional Game (Pict by Adi Guna)
The Spices for Bangka Malay Community
Aside from their traditional game, East Belitung can also be proud of their spices—pepper. As an agrarian society, aside from planting moor rice, they also grow spices, including lemongrass, chili, turmeric, and pepper. In pepper cultivation, the farmers use an intercropping system, where two or three different plants, with intermittent planting and regular spacing placed on the same plot of land.
Pepper farmers in East Belitung take their profession as the primary job. However, many farmers do that to carry on ancestral work to keep and preserve the land of spices. East Belitung is one of the high-ranking areas of pepper producers due to the tradition to continue the culture of growing spices. It even led the Dutch company to cooperate with the Palembang sultanate to distribute pepper to Europe.
Ikan Gangan, a traditional cuisine of Belitung
Traditional dance competition on the theme of spices
Burung Mandi Monastery
Dewi Kwan Im Temple
Hok Tek Che Temple
Belitung Batik
East Belitung cuisine served at the Jelajah Pesona Jalur Rempah Belitung Timur Festival 2020
Besides stealing foreigners’ attention, people of Belitung also use pepper in daily activities, for example, Betangas. It is a steam bath tradition that uses spices performed in the wedding process by the bride and groom. In addition to being a ritual event, people believe the ritual can get rid of body odor. We can also find the benefits of spices in the medical and culinary worlds. People of East Belitung use spices, including turmeric, pepper, ginger, and caraway as Ubat Kampong. In the traditional drink, there’s Aik Sepang; a herb drink consumed every day to maintain stamina. It shows that the traces of the spice trade in East Belitung left various cultures and traditions that still exist today.
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Sources:
Webinar Jelajah Pesona Jalur Rempah Belitung Timur Rempah dalam Tradisi Melayu Belitong di Belitung Timur with Andi Susanto, Adi Guna S.Hum., and Zulfandi S.Kel M.Si. as speakers, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piXZmoQ20u4&t=7636s), accessed on 9 February 2021
Webinar Jelajah Pesona Jalur Rempah Belitung Timur Rempah dalam Permainan Tradisional with Adi Guna S.Hum. and Zulfandi S.Kel M.Si. as speakers, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zfX-1_DG-M), accessed on 9 February 2021
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Written by Oka Pangestu
Editor: Tiya S.
Translator: Dhiani Probhosiwi
