Ceprotan Traditional Ceremony (Donorojo-Pacitan)

"Ceprotan"  is a traditional ceremony that has cleaning purpose which is done by people in Sekar Village, Donorojo, Pacitan. This traditional ceremony is held in every Monday Kliwon, Longkang Moon, or Selo (Kliwon , Longkang and Selo is Java's Calendar Stuff). This sole purpose of this traidition is to get rid of any danger for its peoples and nobody wants to neglect this ceremony.

Peoples believe that it would give them bad effect to the village if they don't held the ceremony, such as; more peoples got sick and failed in farming often happen. "This Ceprotan tradition will never be stopped, even in the future." said Imam Tukidjo one of the peoples in the middle of the ceremony.

The series of sacred Ceprotan Ceremony is started by gathering chickens from some peoples. This ceremony is lead by a village Chief. The peak of this procession would be in afternoon where the sun began to dawn. It would be started with "surup" (sun dawn) dance, then the elder start to pray, and the Chief Village would take a role as another person Called Ki Godeg, and his wife would have a role as Dewi Sekartaji.

It is like some other traditions in Java Island. The background of Ceprotan was based of the collapse of Kediri Kingdom that was divided into two smaller Kingdoms; Jenggolo Kingdom and Doho Kingdom.

It was told that a romantic relationship from a young couple also became a victim from the kingdom's splitted up. The love relationship between Raden Panji Wanengpati and Dewi Sekartaji was broken. Both of them had to run from the kingdom to save their lives.

For tens years, they were looking each other. Finally, they met in a particular area that in the future would be came Sekar Village. 

"Dewi Sekartaji pretended to be Brambang Bawang, while Radeb Raden Panji Wanengpati became Kyai Godheg. When Raden Panji opened the forest in this area, he met with with Dewi Sekartaji. The word "Sekar Village" was based from the name of Sekartaji." Said that long haired man.

Smokes from incenses started to mix with the dawn sensation. The incenses aroma made the magic sensation stronger. In a small stage 2x2 meters size with young coconut leaves as its fence and banyan leaves, the elder faced a incenses pot. His mouth muttered a strange chanting. That was a beginning of Ceprotan's ritual.

A while after that, a group of people with traditional Java costumes brought a carriage with 2 meters high. There were a offering foods inside. Started from Ketan, Jadah, roasted chicken, etc.

At the very front, Imam Tukidjo which acted as Kyai Godeg and the wife Dewi Sekartaji that was acted by Sri Gianti, the wife of Imam Tukidjo, they were really into the ceremony. With the procession movements that mixed beautifully with the Gamelan music, both of them brought the offer near the gate that was made from the yellow coconuts leaves.  

"This ritual told us about Kyai Godeg and Dewi Sekartaji when they started their life as teacher in the old days." said Imam Tukidjo enthusiastically.

Two roasted chicken that were in the carriage was brought by two peoples that running around in the middle of the field. Then peoples around the field would throwing them with young coconuts. 

"Who dare to snatch the roasted chicken would be "ceprot" (thrown at) with coconuts. It told us about the Kyai Godheg pupils that snatching food from others." said that man.

Tumpak Rinjing Monument

Statue of The Patriots

Monument Tumpak Rinjing is located at Dadapan Village, in District Pringkuku Pacitan. This monument is built as reminder of guerrilla route that was performed by Big Commander, General Sudirman in Pacitan in order to fight the colonization. There are two big statue at that monument. They are General Sudirman and Brigadier General Ignatius Slamet Riyadi as the leader of the war and guerrilla. This monument also was built to remember the service of the patriots that died in Tumpak Rinjing war against the convoy army of Colonial Netherland that was happened in June 7th, 1948.

The access road to this monument is very easy, using the "Pacitan-Solo bus". That monument is right at the rear read. The area of this monument is not large, and there are no facility. It is just a good place if you want to stop from your journey to take a rest, or taking a photo, or somehow, want to remember or give honor to the patriots. 

That monument also is a favorite route for senior high school in their exploring for extracurricular program. In some occasion, that place is used for "Palagan Tumpak Rinjing" Event. It is a marching festival. Peoples made a group for 10 peoples and walk from the central of Pacitan (alon-alon), to the Pringkuku and pass Monument Tumpak rinjing, and back to the alon-alon. It is about walking for 35km endurance, started from 8pm (night) to 7am (morning).

This place is good as a resting place for biker, before continuing their journey. The location is rather shady with the blowing wind and the tree surround it. The shelters there is the best place to rest and eat your food. Make sure to keep that place clean.

That is for Monument of Tumpak Rinjing. See you in my next post. Bye. <more picture>

Gesingan Beach

This place is located in Dadapan Village, Pringkuku. It is about 15 km from alon alon pacitan. You can come here follow the Pacitan-Solo's bus route. You will find Monument Tumpak Rinjing, on the left side road, with a small narrow road with a small gate right after that monument. Turn in to that gate and follow the road through a village. The road is still in asphalt form, but in very bad condition. You will find a three section after it, make sure that you turn left, then follow the road again. From here, the road will change into macadam. 

Following that macadam road, you will arrive at the wide area, that you can see the landscape of South Ocean from there. Such beautiful scenery. That wide area is called Lapangan Tembak (Fire Practiceing Field). Sometimes, that area is used by Indonesian Army to practice Shooting Fire arm. Peoples can not go to Gesingan Beach using that route if the Army still in practice. It is happened rarely though, so don't worry about that.

From Lapangan Tembak, you must go by walking. Go straight to south, and you will find down path, follow it. The gesingan beach is located rather in the left,. When you find a splitting path, make sure to choose left. If you walk the wrong way, you will reach under the field, that only contain dangerous cliffs. The way down is rather long, maybe about 10 minutes walking.

Gesingan beach is still quiet place, has its white sand, coral along the shore with some traditional fisherman there looking for sea shell. That place also a good choice for fishing. The scenery from that beach is very beautiful, without a noise from seller, clean area, that can make you enjoy vacation. Taking picture from many angle using the unique coral that spread along that small beach.

The pacitan-solo course itself is also another good point. You can enjoy the trip by looking the scenery of teleng ria beach from upside. Some time you will find a shady area with a large tree and fresh air in the middle of your trip. If you still have enough time, you can also visit Loh denok. They are very close.

That is all for Gesingan Beach. See you in my another post. Bye.
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Loh Denok and Pacitan Indah

Loh Denok is located in "Pacitan-Solo" bus route. It is about 12 km from the center of pacitan to the west. It is on the same direction with Teleng Ria Beach and Monument of Tumpak Rinjing. It is right beside the main road. Loh Denok is not officially called as Pacitan Tourism, but it surely has a good scenery. You can see the view from above, see the whole pacitan city, its beach, its town, its mountain and with the mild blowing wind up there. At the night time, when you pass Loh Denok, you will see the beautiful light from lamp in the city, it is looked as a black sea with the stars light in it. With the real stars spread on the night sky high.  

There was a Dawet Ice and Lotes (like fruid salad) in the small food stall made from wood. That was my favourite, it was cheap and yummy. Now, the stall is not there anymore. Regardless it is daylight or night, Loh Denok is a favorite place for couple teenagers. The place is somehow, romantic and refreshing.

You can Park your car or motorcycle there, then walk for 10m to north, walking in the grass path. There, you can find an old fortress left from war period. That fortress face ocean in order to observe incoming attack from ocean. There are a buried underground, but you can still walk down there.

Or, from your car or motorcycle, you can also walk 10m to south, walking in the brush path, you will find an old building. It is the most favorite place for couple to do something, or just enjoying the scenery. If you want to take picture of sunset or sen rice, this old building is your right place, since you can climb up to the building roof to take picture. That old building is strong enough for you all to stand up there.

Pacitan Indah

There are also another place similar with Loh denok. It is called "Pacitan Indah", that place is also not officialy known as Tourism location, but it is good enough to take a rest and got rid of all stiff in your body. It is also a favourite place for coulpes, and also for whole family to do a picnic. It is located on the west side of loh denok. It is about 25km from Central of Pacitan, or 10 Km to the west more after Loh denok.

This location is in responsibility of government forest agency. This place is rather shady, with a lot of big tree around that area. The wind is also blowing and make your self refreshed. You can also see the beauty of pacitan with its vast ocean from above. There are wooden building as sign of that place that originally used by government forest agency.

That is for Loh Denok and Pacitan Indah, see you in my next post. Bye. <More Picture>

Limo Mountain

Gunung Limo is one of the object of tourism in pacitan. It about 15 km from Alon-Alon Pacitan to the East, in mantren village, District of Kebonagung. You can get there by using JLS (South Line Road) and turn left before the Woro Wari Bridge. Look for Gayam Traditional market, then turn left again follow the road. The JLS road is plain and wide, but you will find a rather difficult small road with hill contour after Gayam traditional Market. Another information, from Gayam Traditional Market you can also go to Wawaran Beach and Woro wari Beach. Dont you worry about your motor cycle or Car, because there are a wide parking area on Gunung Limo's Foot.

Gunung Jepen, Bathok, Lanang (left).---------Gunung Limo series (right)

From many Mounts in pacitan, gunung Limo is believed at the mountain that omit highest spiritual energy because of his history. But it is up to you to believe of not, but came here with good intention is the best thing that you can do about its spiritual energy. Among the mountains in pacitan, gunung Limo has phenomenon of real jungle. You can find high and big three with the vine hanging around there. The ascend food path will guide you onto its peak. You will find, sometime, climbing using an emergency ladder with a rope as helper in some difficult path. Right before its peak, you will find a big rock that have a crack as a small tunnel. The crack is very narrow, it only can be used for one person. It is believed, that people with a bad intention, regardless how big their body size will not be able to pass that crack. But people with a good intention do. That crack also known with the name of "selo Matangkep" or "Watu Apit"
 
After passed that rock, you will find its peak. There are two peaks in gunung Limo, the first peak is the nearest with the cracking rock. From there, you can see the Beautiful panorama of kebonagung village, with the wind is strongly blowing. That is my favorite place, although you can not build your tent here because it has a rock as its foundation .

Then you can walk a little bit further to find another peak. That is higher that first peak, you can see the spreading beaches in pacitan. If you want to camp, this peak is better because it has a solid ground to build a tent and the wind is not strong.

In gunung Limo, there are also place called "pertapan". It is a place for hermit to pray. That is like a shallow cave, some people often use that place to pray (in their own believe) and bring some incense and myrrh there. If you are brave enough, it is also good place to sleep, no need to worry about the rain that "pertapan". Enjoy your recreation, your camping, with your friends, and don't worry to bring your Guitar. 

Always remember this thing,"Don't Take anything but picture, don't Left anything but Footprints and don't Kill anything but time". Keep the area clean. Happy Camping!

That is for Gunung Limo, See you next time in my another post. Bye. <More picture>

Lanang Mountain

From Left : Gunung Jepen, Bathok, Lanang

Not only beaches, Pacitan also have many mountains. One of them is called “Gunung Lanang”. It is located in Punjung village, Kebonagung District. Pacitan. It is about 20 km from the center of Pacitan to the East.

This Mountain is also counted as the highest place in pacitan. That fact makes this mountain is easy to be found. From the town, you can see the peak of this mountain clearly, a series mountains with 5 peaks on it. Gunung Limo is at the South Side of Gunung Lanang.

The access to come here is rather easy. You can use car or motorcycle use the “Tulakan Road”. Motorcycle is preferable though. About 15 km from the Alon Alon Pacitan, you turn right into smaller asphalt road for about 3 km and finding a paving road for about 2 km until the mountain food. You can Park there, but in order to prevent the bad things, you better park your motor cycle in the local house, With their permission, absolutely. Then you can walk to its peak fro about 20  minutes. It is not too high, so don’t worry.

The peak is rather wide. You can see the beauty of pacitan from here, with the scene of its town, grindulu river, and its beaches. If you decided to camp there, you can see the night scene with the glittering stars up the sky, and lamps similar stars on the town. If you are lucky, you can also see the beautiful sunrise and sunset from that mountain.

This Mountain has 2 peaks, but only one peaks that can be use for camping, because the other peak is only a big rock that very hard to be climbed. There are only rock and grass there. Except, you bring your climbing tools. But some locals usually climb that another peak to get food for their sheep, without equipment but sickle.

This is a favorite place for high school students to enjoy their holiday. If you, somehow, want to camp here, make sure to have permission from the head village. Camping with a good intention, keep clean of Nature, bring your trash down. That is the attitude. Wish you Happy camping! Enjoy Yourself! 

That is for Gunung Lanang, see you in my other post. Bye.<More Picture>

Sepang Mountain

Sepang from afar

Gunung sepang is located in Sepang village Rt.02 Rw.13 in district Tulakan, Pacitan. It is about 18km to the east, using Tulakan road. Many people like this place. This place is windy and very beautiful. You can see a whole pacitan from this peak, the sea, the village. This place has three wide place to camp.

The west place of Sepang's peak is my favorite camping ground, with two big rock that can be climbed to watch the stars. Here is the best place to watch the sunset. The middle of Sepang's Peak is rather shallow place. If you want to practice wall ckimbing, here is the right place. You can climb a special big rock here that similar to cliff without any equipment. If somehow, you accidentally slipped and fall here, you will land safely on bushes there. The East Peak, is the best place to wait and watch sunrise, with the enjoyable wind and the rocks that arranged naturally in order to make us sit easily.

You will not an expensive accommodation to get here, just use you motor cycle or use public transportation. With the notice, If you use your Motorcycle, you can parked it in the local house with the fee only Rp 3.000. If you use Public transportation, you will need to walk for about 2 km more from the Tulakan Road. Actually, about the fee, it is used to build the village. It is not used for the owner house themselves.

For some people, walking up this mountain will be tough. My tips is walk slowly, no need to haste. If you never been here before, start early. Climb with a good intention and keep the nature clean.

That is for Gunung Sepang. See you again in my another posts. Bye.<More Picture>