WEST BANGKA – The Ketupat War is a tradition that is still preserved by the people of Tempilang Village, Tempilang District, West Bangka Regency. This tradition that has been going on for generations is carried out on the third Sunday of the Month of Shaban.
The Ketupat War is a tradition to ask for safety so that the lives of the tempilang residents are protected from danger and evil spirits as well as to welcome the holy month of Ramadan.
The tradition of the ketupat war began with an attack on the Citadel that kidnapped a girl and brought her to the sea. After that, a smart person is called and a ritual is performed. Then after the ritual is over, a kidnapped girl can come back again. So the symbol of the ketupat war to fight evil demons so that the village becomes safe.
This year, this tradition will be held on Sunday (27/3/2022) at the Pasir Kuning Beach Marine Tourism Area, Tempilang District, West Bangka Regency.
To preserve the tradition of the ketupat war which is well known to the public, PT Timah Tbk handed over assistance to the chairman of the committee for the ketupat war tradition. This is to support the preservation of tradition. To enliven the ketupat war, the committee usually also holds a series of other activities.
The head of the Tempilang tradition, Keman, appreciates the support of PT Timah who continues to maintain the preservation of cultural traditions in Indonesia.
“I really appreciate what PT Timah has done. This is a form of PT Timah's support to always maintain the preservation of cultural traditions and local wisdom in Indonesia," he said.
He said that there are some sacred values ??that should not be practiced during the week after the ketupat war tradition is carried out, such as not being allowed to whistle for the community, not being allowed to wash kitchen utensils in the river and not being allowed to dry clothes on the fence in front of the house during the taber process.
The chairman of the committee for the ketupat war tradition, Sahanan Ali, explained the various events that will be carried out in the ketupat war tradition.
"Various activities will be carried out at the ketupat war event, such as a serimbang dance, a new creation of dance, pencak silat, traditional kedidi dance and symbolic traditional rituals, after that the ketupat war is carried out, then there is a mantra reading for adat, and finally we will float one boat as traditional symbols as well as other entertainment, namely guest stars from the Gamma band," he said.
"Not only that, previously there were also inter-village boys and girls soccer and volleyball tournaments that had been held since last December 30," he continued.
He said that the assistance provided by PT Timah Tbk would be used to increase the lack of funds from sports, customs, arts and so on.
“We are very happy for the support that is always given by PT Timah every time this tradition is held. The assistance provided by PT Timah will also be used to increase the lack of funds for sports tournament activities, traditional and artistic traditions as well as for consumption and other equipment," he said.
He hopes that PT Timah Tbk will always support traditional activities in Tempilang and even in the Bangka Belitung Islands.
“I hope that PT Timah will always support traditional preservation activities in Tempilang even in the Bangka Belitung Islands. Hopefully, the activities of PT Timah in Tempilang will always be protected in the future," he hoped.
The Head of Air Lintang Village, Herianto, is very happy with what PT Timah Tbk always gives for activities and residents in Tempilang.
“Thank God, the assistance from PT Timah has been extraordinary and has made PT Timah the biggest donor in latitude. I am very happy because PT Timah always supports and takes part in the activities here and always provides assistance to the tempilang residents,” he concluded.*
