Asoka plant, a symbol of love
Here’s a very interesting matter during my surfing on the net some couple of days ago, it is about asoka tree ( bunga asoka in Indonesian). So far I know, asoka tree is flowering throughout the whole year. But it seems that there’s an article that leads me to the myth and legend around asoka tree in India.
- Picture of Asoka Flower
It is believed that Sakyamuni, the founder of Budda and Nirvana doctrine, was born under asoka tree by the X century. Asoka trees is worshipped by the Buddhist. While for Hinduist, this flower is a symbol of love.
In a story of Rama and Sita, it is said that when Sita ( Rama’s wife) was kidnapped by Ravvana, she was hidden in a garden which is overwhelmed with asoka trees. Thus for India’s society, this flower is dedicated to Rama.
Makepung, The Buffalo Race of Bali
Makepung in Indonesian means ‘chasing one another’. Makepung at first coming from usual game, which is played by farmers in Bali, especially in Jembrana teritory, in between their rest during plough of rice fields.
The buffalo used in the race are stringed to carriage, and being controlled by a jockey. By the time, this game then develops and devoted by many people. Now Makepung has been one of an annual agenda in Bali, and has been managed professionally.
- Makepung – Buffalo Race from Bali
Makepung’s game rules
- Buffalo with Decorative Crown on the head
Makepung was held first in 1970′s, and compared to this moment, there has been some changes along the game rules and property. If at the beginning, the game uses one buffalo and one big carriage, now Makepung performs a pair of buffalos, and a smaller size of carriage.
The buffalos belongs to Makepung’s contestant has performed more ‘stylish’, with colorful accessories on their head which is formed like crown, and green flags in each carriage.
Makepung has a bit different rules to that the race in common. The winner of Makepung race is considered NOT only who arrives the first in finish line, but he must be able to keep distance with the racer behind him, in minimum 10m far. If the distance between both are less than 10m, then the second contestant win the race. Each of Makepung race has 8 – 10 minutes duration.
The Contestant of Makepung
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The Legend of Lake Sarangan
Once upon the time, there was an old couple whose names were Grandpa Pasir and Grandma Pasir ( pasir = sand ) living in the east forest of Mount Lawu. Slope. Both of them lived in a simple house made of firewood with roof of dried leaves.
To afford their daily living, grandpa Pasir planted greens in their own field. One day during his excavating ground for field, he was surprised with an existence of an egg under a big forest tree.
It is a bit strange actually, there’s no poultry around, but how come an egg was suddenly appeared there. But without long consideration, Grandpa Pasir immediately took the yisterious egg home, and gave it to his wife.