This Year, Balinese Celebrates Makepung Tradition

TheIndonesia.id - Since the Covid-19 pandemic broke in Bali, many traditional events have to be canceled. One of them is the Makepung tradition in Jembrana, Bali.

Mekepung is the only tradition that could be found in Jembrana, Bali. Makepung is a racing buffalo competition that the Kaliakah Villagers enjoy. The unique tradition was originated from the agrarian life scene in Bali.

After the Covid-19 cases started to decline, Jembrana Regent, I Nengah Tamba, reopened the 2021 Mekepung Jembrana Cup competition at the Sang Hyang Cerik Circuit, Tuwed Village, Sunday, November 28, 2021.

The Champion got a trophy Cup and a coaching fee of IDR 100 million (US$ 6,965). It was won by Blok Ijo Gading Barat this year.

A total of 148 pairs of buffalo took part in this Mekepung, consisting of 53. The buffalo races were divided into three groups, namely Groups C, B, and A, as many as 45 pairs.

I Nengah Tamba appreciated all the Mekepung participants for being able to maintain the cultural attraction.

"This competition is very priceless. You can't find it anywhere else. This is what we have, and this is what we are always proud of," said I Nengah Tamba to beritabali.com – Suara.com Network.

This year's competition was allowed by implementing strict health protocols. The participants must use masks and have to be vaccinated. The committee also opened vaccine booths for visitors who had not been vaccinated.

In the future, I Nengah Tamba has prepared a Mekepung racing arena, namely the All in One circuit, which will be built in Pengambengan.

"Makepung is our pride. We must honor it, we must guard it, we must develop it, and we must preserve it. If not us, who else will be," said Tamba.

In addition, he was also touched by the hard work and expense of the participants to preserve Mekepung.

"I know that their various efforts are extraordinary and not a joke. They raised buffalo and made competition's facilities. That's why we must maintain this as a cultural attraction, so our future generations can still enjoy this for years to come. Until the end of the world, Mekepung must exist," he added.

Meanwhile, the Mekepung Event Coordinator, I Made Mara thanked the Jembrana Regent to permit the Mekepung competition this year.

During the 2-year vacuum, the number of participants decreased by up to 50%. He was afraid that the tradition would not be able to survive.

"We hope that the Mekepung, which UNESCO has recognized as Jembrana's ancestral heritage, does not extinct. Hopefully, Mekepung continues to exist for all time. This is what the farmers do to entertain themselves after farming," said I Made Mara.