Larung Sembonyo Ritual Promotes Cultural Heritage in Tulungagung

RRI.CO.ID, Tulungagung - The dual potential of cultural preservation and maritime tourism took center stage in East Java over the weekend, as hundreds of visitors gathered to witness the traditional Larung Sembonyo ritual at Sidem Beach in Popoh Bay, Tulungagung Regency.

The vibrant event, held on Sunday, July 12, 2026, as part of the Grebeg Suro festival series, underscored how deep-rooted coastal traditions can serve as both a spiritual anchor for local communities and a significant economic driver through cultural tourism. By positioning the age-old seafaring thanksgiving ritual as a public spectacle, the local community successfully drew crowds while reinforcing the region's unique maritime identity.

The day’s proceedings commenced at 8.00 a.m. with a communal feast and a mass prayer session at the community hall of Sidem hamlet. Traditional culinary offerings, highlighted by a giant tumpeng (cone-shaped rice platter representing the harvest), were meticulously prepared to express gratitude to God for the year’s bounties.

Following the prayers, the ritual transitioned into a lively public spectacle. Residents paraded the massive tumpeng, laden with an array of fresh agricultural produce, including locally grown vegetables and fruits, along the main thoroughfare of Sidem village.

The procession, which drew the eyes of visiting tourists, moved steadily toward the shoreline. According to local prominent figure Sunyoto, the Sedekah Bumi (earth alms) and Larung Sembonyo traditions are ancestral practices that encapsulate the community's dependence on both land and sea.

“This tradition serves as an expression of gratitude to God for the sustenance provided—whether from the land or the sea,” said Sunyoto, adding that the gesture represents the community’s profound thankfulness to God for the blessings bestowed by the earth and the oceans, as quoted by Antara.

He further explained that the economic livelihood of the majority of the Sidem coastal population rests on three pillars: agriculture, fisheries, and the burgeoning local tourism sector centered around Sidem Beach.

Aside from the agricultural parade, the community also carried jodang, wooden litter trays containing various traditional offerings, including rice, ingkung ayam (whole cooked seasoned chicken), and symbolic red-and-white porridge destined for the ocean.

Once the grand parade reached its destination, the agricultural offerings from the tumpeng were playfully scrambled for by both residents and visitors. This lively commotion serves as a symbolic gesture of sharing the harvest, cementing communal bonds through shared gratitude.

The spiritual climax of the day arrived during the sea-floating procession. Four traditional elders performed sacred rites before placing the macak, a decorated basket filled with earth produce and ritual paraphernalia, onto a wooden raft.

A fishing vessel then towed the raft out into the open waters of the bay, where the offerings were released into the sea. This sea-floating act stands as a profound sign of respect and appreciation from the seafaring community, acknowledging the marine ecosystem that sustains their livelihood.

This year's Sedekah Bumi and Larung Sembonyo celebrations were intentionally scaled up to involve a larger portion of the local population. Beyond fulfilling the duty of preserving ancestral customs, organizers designed the grander festivities to fortify community solidarity and actively boost the appeal of Sidem Beach as a prime cultural tourism destination.

Through the collective prayers embedded in the day's rituals, the coastal residents expressed their deep hopes for safety, peace of mind, and continuous abundance as they navigate their livelihoods across both the land and the sea. ***