Barong Ider Bumi, a Unique Evil-Warding Tradition from Osing Tribe in Banyuwangi

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Thousands of residents and tourists crowded Kemiren Village, Glagah Subdistrict, Banyuwangi, East Java, to witness the Barong Ider Bumi traditional ritual on Sunday, March 22, 2026.

The ritual, held every second day of Eid al-Fitr (Shawwal 2), symbolizes protection against evil spirits and is part of the ancestral heritage of the Osing people, descendants of the ancient Blambangan Kingdom in Banyuwangi, East Java.

Village streets were filled with visitors eager to watch the Barong procession, in which a lion-like mythical creature is paraded as a symbol of protection. For the local community, the ritual is not merely a spectacle but an integral part of their cultural identity passed down through generations.

Kemiren indigenous community leader Suhaimi explained that the tradition began in the 1840s when the village was struck by an epidemic and crop failures. “Following the ancestors’ guidance, villagers were instructed to parade the Barong around the village to ward off calamities and misfortunes,” Suhaimi said.

Before the procession, the community holds a prayer ceremony at the Buyut Cili shrine to honor their ancestors. This ritual is considered vital to preserving the tradition’s sacredness.

Acting Head of the Banyuwangi Culture and Tourism Agency, Hartono, stated that the Barong Ider Bumi has been included in the Banyuwangi Attraction 2026 calendar as one of the premier cultural tourism events.

The Barong procession covers approximately two kilometers from the eastern to the western side of the village. Along the route, traditional leaders perform the sembur uthik-uthik ritual by scattering coins, yellow rice, and flowers as symbols of banishing misfortune.

The event concludes with a village feast featuring tumpeng pecel pitik, a signature Banyuwangi dish integral to the ritual. “This tradition is always eagerly anticipated and attracts tourists from various regions,” Hartono said. (Gusti Panji/Lasti Martina)