Tipat-Bantal War, a Unique Tradition at Kapal Village
When
thrown at something, one will be definitely upset. Even, not a few are
offended to result in revenge. However, this one is different where the
local community throws tipat-bantal at each other while dancing merrily.
Moreover, those exposed to the toss will dance following the music
without any ambition or revenge.It is a brief description on the tipat-bantal carried out by Kapal village, Mengwi subdistrict, Badung, Tuesday (Oct 14). This tradition is regularly held every year in Sasih Kapat, around September to October. This tradition is closely related to farming life of Kapal village implemented as an expression of gratitude to God for the abundant harvest at the village.
The implementation is centered at Desa and Puseh Temple. Tipat (diamond-shaped rice bag) is interpreted as a symbol of feminine energy (pradhana) and bantal (Balinese long glutinous cake) as a symbol of masculine energy (purusha) represented by the presence of mother earth or the earth in physical form as the soil. The resulted food is the main weapon to defend the life itself.
The tipat-bantal war tradition this year became more unique since it was collaborated with the art composition. A dance drama composition choreographed by Anak Agung Gede Rahma Putra was presented with the storyline about the origin of the war. The composition presented Baris Bantal and Rejang Tipat Dance by teen artists. Its musical accompaniment used selonding gamelan set so that it gave a regal and classical impression.
The composition told about the arrival of Ki Kebo Iwa on the assignment of the King of Bali, Asta Sura Ratna Bhumi Banten to repair the Purusadha Temple at Kapal village. However, once upon a time the Kapal village was found in famine condition, where people had no food and it led to chaos and pathetic condition.
Ki Kebo Iwa eventually invoked an instruction to the Creator by meditation at the Purusadha Temple. In his meditation, he got a revelation from Hyang Pasupati instructing the local residents to implement the Aci Rah Pengangon or Aci Rare Angon by presenting tipat-bantal. Both offerings served as the symbol of the source of life because the cause of the famine was in the absence of the source of life.
Since then, the ritual was routinely implemented where people gathered in front of the Desa Temple of Kapal village. Local people then divided themselves into two groups, each of which held tipat and bantal as weapon. Baleganjur gamelan music and the sound of kulkul or wooden split drum accompanied the war. After an instruction from local village apparatus, both groups then attacked each other by throwing the tipat-bantal.
At the beginning, the war took place in the middle courtyard of the temple and then it was resumed to outer courtyard, highway of Kapal village. The tipat or bantal was just like a bullet dashing so quickly. People who became throwers were trance-like and striking blindly. Even, many of them were topless, but still put on customary clothing such as headband, fabrics and selempot.
Although having to throw in one direction, namely northward and southward, some ignorantly threw towards people who witnessed the war tradition. However, they were all excited and happy. Interestingly, despite attacking and throwing each other with tipat and bantal, none would get wound or injury. Even, they vivaciously expressed more laughter.
The war lasted for about 30 minutes and then ended with a mutually shaking hands and forgiving. All the residents then cleared the path from the remnants of the tipat and bantal. Residents were also advised to take some pieces of the tipat and bantal to take home, and then spread in the moors and paddy fields.
Chief of Kapal customary village, Anak Agung Gede Dharmayasa, said that taking some pieces of tipat and bantal to the home symbolized a request that all residents could still be bestowed with the abundance of fertility, food and welfare. “This is a form of respect for the universal energy creating the life and a procession to preserve the life survival with the concept of keeping the motherland, as the land is a tangible manifestation of the giver and sustainer of life for every creature on this earth,” he said.
Kapal village, he explained, had a total of 2,247 families spreading across 18 customary hamlets. For this event, each family was required to submit 1 kg of rice or sticky rice. From this submission, the village could collect at least 1,800 kg or 1.8 tons of tipat and bantal. “It is also in part because some are not coming,” he added.http://www.bali-travelnews.com/Art-and-Cultural
