Talking about culture and tradition seems very complex if only interpreted in one sense. However, I will take one example, a very interesting one. This is not a culture I practice in my daily life, but with this culture I see many ways we express gratitude.
I once talked about this in my old article. Where I live, there are two traditions that are often practiced: "War Cai" (water war) and "War Tomato" (tomato war). I will talk about the first one, "War Cai." "War Cai" comes from Sundanese, or better known as "War Air" (water war). In my area, there is a village that is very fertile with water, even during the dry season.
In some areas, during the dry season, the water often recedes. Well, this place—called Cisarua—is very abundant. Until one day the water in this area recedes. The residents themselves perform a ritual to nature. Until the water in that area flows again and becomes abundant. Then, this ritual becomes a culture and tradition in that area.
The locals interpret it very simply. This water war is a way of expressing gratitude to nature for the abundant water in that area. In this tradition, people also ask God to protect them from water shortages and other dangers. This is very unique to me. We communicate with nature and God through this culture.
The second thing is the tomato war. I learned about this while covering the event. There was a huge tomato harvest. Just like the water war, the tomato war is also a form of gratitude for the abundant harvest. From these two cultures and traditions, I believe that culture is a way for us to communicate with nature and pray to God.
For some, this is called animism. But, it's a form of gratitude for what we have received. These two cultures are very dear to me. When I was in Bandung, I always made time to attend these events. It felt truly blissful to be present and participate in these cultural events.
There's a special joy in being present in this culture. The joy that prevails in the community is especially palpable. The abundance of water and tomatoes. It feels very happy. That's all I can share from my perspective on culture. I'm not talking about culture in everyday life. See you in another story.
My name is Nurdiani Latifah. I live in Jakarta – Indonesia, and after 25 years I live in Bandung. I am a media staff at an NGO in Indonesia. I have worked in this institution for almost 2 years on issues of women and peace. I have been a journalist in Bandung for 3 years.
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