Indonesia Raya Keris

Saturday, April 5, 2014

 

Both a Weapon and Spiritual Object

The kris or keris is a distinctive, asymmetrical dagger from Indonesia Raya. Both a weapon and spiritual object, krises are often considered to possess magical powers. The earliest krises known were made around 1360 AD and most probably spread from the island of throughout Southeast Asia. 

Kris blades are usually narrow with a wide, asymmetrical base. The different metals formed into the blade give the steel its distinctive ‘watered’ appearance called pamor. The sheath is often made from wood, though examples from ivory, even gold, abound. A kris' aesthetic value covers the dhapur (the form and design of the blade, with around 150 variants), the pamor (the pattern of metal alloy decoration on the blade, with around 60 variants), and tangguh referring to the age and origin of a kris. 

A blade smith, or empu, makes the blade in layers of different iron ores and meteorite nickel. Some blades can be made in a relatively short time, while more legendary weapons take years to complete. In high quality kris blades, the metal is folded dozens or hundreds of times and handled with the utmost precision. Empu are highly respected craftsmen with additional knowledge in literature, history, the occult, etc.

Krises were worn everyday and at special ceremonies, with heirloom blades being handed down through successive generations. Both men and women wear them, though those for women are smaller. A rich spirituality and mythology developed around the weapon. Krises are used for display, as talismans with magical powers, weapons, sanctified heirloom, auxiliary equipment for court soldiers, as an accessory for ceremonial dress, an indicator of social status, a symbol of heroism, etc.

Until the 1990s, kris-making activities in Java had almost come to a standstill due to economic difficulties and changing socio-cultural values. However, thanks to several concerned kris experts, the tradition is being revived and kris craftsmanship has increased again.

Over the past three decades, krises have lost their prominent social and spiritual meaning in society. Although active and honoured empus who produce high quality krises in the traditional way can still be found on many islands, their number is dramatically decreasing, and it is more difficult for them to find successors to whom they may transmit their skills.

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Barong Dance Of Bali

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Traveled To The Island Of Bali

Indeed the island to save a myriad of unique art, culture and traditions are still adhered to and implemented to date. Not only to maintain their cultural roots, but also as an entertainer travelers who traveled to the island of Bali Indonesia Raya.

Many attractions including dance art that has a positive purpose and philosophy behind the dynamism of motion. One of them is the Barong Dance. Dances derived from pre-Hindu culture treasures illustrate the struggle between good and evil.

In the Barong Dance, Barong virtues represented in the play, in which a dancer with a four-legged animal costumes. While sleaze played by Rangda, a creepy figure with fangs in his mouth. Both fight while dancing 

to the music of traditional Bali.

The Barong Dance Of Bali

Barong Dance Of Bali is probably the most well known dance. It is also another story telling dance, narrating the fight between good and evil. This dance is the classic example of Balinese way of acting out mythology, resulting in myth and history being blended into one reality.

The story goes that Rangda, the mother of Erlangga, the King of Bali in the tenth century, was condemned by Erlangga's father because she practiced black magic. After she became a widow, she summoned all the evil spirits in the jungle, the leaks and the demons, to come after Erlangga.

The Barong is the magical protector of Balinese villages. As "lord of the forest" with fantastic fanged mask and long mane, he is the opponent of Rangda the witch, who rules over the spirits of darkness, in the never ending fight between good and evil.

Somebody can die or get seriously injured in a Barong dance. It is said that if Rangda's spell is too strong, a weak soldier may not be able to resist it, even with the help of Barong. He may end up hurting himself with his own keris.

The masks of Barong and Rangda are considered sacred items, and before they are brought out, a priest must be present to offer blessings by sprinkling them with holy water taken from Mount Agung, and offerrings must be presented.

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Komodo National Park

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Komodo Island

Komodo Island is one of the 17,508 islands that compose the Republic of Indonesia Raya. The island is particularly notable as the habitat of the Komodo dragon, the largest lizard on Earth, which is named for the island. Komodo Island has a surface area of 390 square kilometres and a human population of over two thousand.

The people of the island are descendants of former convicts who were exiled to the island and who have mixed with Bugis from Sulawesi. The people are primarily adherents of Islam but there are also Christian and Hindu congregations.

Komodo is part of the Lesser Sunda chain of islands and forms part of the Komodo National Park. In addition, the island is a popular destination for diving. Administratively, it is part of the East Nusa Tenggara province.

Komodo National Park

Real dragons spurt no fire, have no need to fly and cast no magic spells. And still, one look from them might render you speechless. These komodos, the real life dragons, are a sight indeed. Gigantic, the lizard-like creatures are about two or three meters in length.

They can easily weigh about 165 kilograms. Despite of their sheer size and appearance, they are not active hunters. What makes them intimidating is the fact that they are a patient predator. In the wild, they stalk a victim, usually a weak or injured one.

One bite and that's what it usually takes. After following the victim for a while, sometimes up to several days' time, the komodos will devour the dying prey.

The Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is an endangered species which can only be found in the Komodo National Park (KNP) in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). Because of the unique and rare nature of this animal, KNP was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986.

The park includes three major islands, Komodo, Rinca and Padar, and numerous smaller islands together totaling 603 km2 of land. The total size of Komodo National Park is presently 1,817 km2. Proposed extensions of 25 km2 of land (Banta Island) and 479 km2 of marine waters would bring the total surface area up to 2,321 km2.At least 2500 Komodos live in this area.

Large dragons are usually three meters long and weigh up to 90 kg. Their habitat has beautiful panoramic views of savannas, rain forests, white beaches, beautiful corals, and clean blue seas. In this area, you can also find horses, wild buffalo, deer, wild boar, snakes, monkeys, and various types of birds.

KNP has a rich and amazing underwater sea biotica. Divers claim that Komodo waters are one of the best diving sites in the world. It has fascinating underwater scenery. You can find 385 species of beautiful corals, mangrove forests, and seaweeds as a home for thousands of fish species, 70 types of sponges, 10 types of dolphins, 6 types of whales, green turtles and various types of sharks and stingrays.

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Karapan Sapi Tourism

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Karapan Sapi or Bulls Race in Madura East Java

Karapan Sapi Tourism is a cow race originating from the island of Madura, East Java, Indonesia Raya. Being held every August until September, the event is held in every village at Madura and become their famous tropical vacation destination. 

In Spain we can find out a matador who fight with a cow but in Madura we can see a cow racing. That racing is very fast and it takes only 10 to 15 seconds each racing. The length of this straight racing arena is about 100 meters. Usually, before racing those cows are gave a special drink that contain energy drink. That drink makes cows going crazy and then slow cows before change into a rapid racing cows.

The length of the route path Karapan Sapi Between 180 to 200 meters and its finished and can be completed within 14 to 18 seconds. Certainly a very fast pace cow – the cow, but jockey WHO shrewdness Sometimes bamboo used to tread the jockey floating in the water due to the rapid speed of the beef cow.

To gain speed and increase of the rate of the cow the jockey, the base of the cows That are fitted with a belt full of sharp spikes the which flicked his whip and the jockey WHO was also given a cow’s rump towards sharp Thorns. Of course these cuts will the make the cows run faster, but also cause sores around the cow’s ass. 

Proximity winners Sometimes the difference is very thin, indeed, They Often only within 1 to 2 seconds. Bull in Madura is a very unique show, in Addition to already Inherited one generation to the tradition is also preserved until now. These events serve as a tourism event in Indonesia, and not only local tourists from abroad witnessed this too many Karapan Sapi.

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