Pelabuhan Ratu is the capital of Sukabumi regency. It is one of tourist objects in Sukabumi. It provides beautiful view of the sea. Because of its geographical condition, which is near sea, most of people there work as fisherman. There is a unique tradition of the fisherman society in Pelabuhan Ratu, called “Labuh Saji.” In this essay, I would like to tell about that tradition.
“Labuh Saji” is an annual ritual that is held on Fisherman day. It is also called “Pesta Nelayan” (Fishermen’s Party). It is not only celebrated by fishermen but also by all Pelabuhan Ratu society. On the day, people come to the fish public sale which is called “Dermaga” where the ritual is held. The ritual is started with traditional dance performance. While the beautiful dancers are performing the traditional dance, a buffalo is slaughtered in front of the fish public sale. The buffalo’s head, later, will be thrown to the sea as a present for Nyai Roro Kidul. She is a supernatural creature whom Pelabuhan Ratu society believes as the ruler of the sea along Pelabuhan Ratu. Before the buffalo is slaughtered, it is adorned with ribbons and flowers first. While it is being slaughtered, the fishermen take the buffalo’s blood on glasses to be poured to their boats. They believe that the buffalo’s blood can bless them when they are fishing. Then, the fishermen cut the buffalo’s body into slices and give them to people who show the ritual. However, they kept the buffalo’s head because it will be mixed with other ritual offerings such as rice, vegetables, and fruits that will be thrown to the sea on the next day. At night, there is “Wayang Golek” performance. Many people are interested in watching it. They watch it until late at night. Nevertheless, the Wayang Golek performance is stopped for awhile at midnight because people have to pray for the ritual offerings that will be presented to Nyai Roro Kidul on the next day. After that, the Wayang Golek performance is continued. On the next day, people fulfill the fish public sale in the morning. The ritual is begun by convoy start from Pendopo building to the fish public sale. Beside the dancers, there is a girl who is made up as Nyai Roro Kidul in the convoy. She rides a carriage and wears green dress with jasmines everywhere. Green is the color that people in Pelabuhan Ratu believe that Nyai Roro Kidul very likes. After the simulator of Nyai Roro Kidul arrives at the fish public sale, it is time to throw the ritual offerings which consist of the buffalo’s head, yellow rice, vegetables, and fruits to the sea. The person who has a right to throw the ritual offerings to the sea is the elders of Pelabuhan Ratu society. After that, the fishermen jump to the sea to take the water, again, to be poured to their boats.
In conclusion, the tradition of throwing the buffalo’s head to the sea in Pelabuhan Ratu is held to get Nyai Roro Kidul’s blessing. She is believed as the ruler of the sea along Pelabuhan Ratu. The fishermen there believe that with the ritual they can get fish easily when they go fishing. The ritual does not relate to religion because the fishermen are Muslim and there is no command to do that in Islam. It is only their tradition so that we can call it that it is culture of Pelabuhan Ratu society, especially the fishermen.
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