RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - A centuries-old tradition drew villagers together in Central Java this week as residents of Ngabean Hamlet, Temanggung Regency, performed the annual Bersih Punden Sumur Blandung ritual, highlighting ongoing efforts to preserve Indonesia's cultural heritage and communal values.

The tradition, which has been passed down through generations, serves as both an expression of gratitude and a communal prayer for the safety, health, and prosperity of local residents.

From early morning, villagers made their way to Sumur Blandung (Blandung Well) carrying buckets and cleaning equipment. Working together, they cleaned the sacred site and drained the well, which holds historical and spiritual significance for the community.

“About 90 percent of Ngabean residents participate in this activity. It has been carried out for a long time and continues to be preserved for generations,” community elder Hidayat, 61, said on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

According to Hidayat, the ritual is not only about maintaining the site but also about strengthening social ties through the Indonesian tradition of gotong royong, or mutual cooperation.

“Besides preserving the cleanliness of the sacred site, this activity is also a gathering for residents. Everyone comes together, works side by side, and helps one another regardless of age,” he said.

After the communal work was completed, residents shared traditional dishes such as tumpeng, a ceremonial cone-shaped rice dish, megono (a rice dish topped with young jackfruit cooked in coconut and spices), and ingkung ayam (a whole chicken braised in coconut milk and aromatic herbs often served in ceremonies as a symbol of prayer and gratitude).

As part of the event, residents also collected water from a small spring located within the Sumur Blandung area. The spring water, which slowly flows from the source, was bottled by villagers who wished to take it home.

Hidayat said the prayers offered during the ceremony sought health, protection, and prosperity for the people of Ngabean and the wider Tegowanuh village.

“Our hope is that the community will always be blessed with good health, protected from disasters and illness, granted prosperity and a peaceful life. This tradition reminds younger generations about the importance of togetherness, mutual cooperation, and gratitude to God,” he explained.

The annual ritual reflects how local communities across Indonesia continue to safeguard cultural traditions and communal values, even as modernization transforms daily life in many parts of the country. ***