Pesta Lomban in Jepara Regency, Central Java Province
Jepara has many unique events for tourists to watch during the visit, especially Perta Lomban. In a nutshell, this tradition is meant to show gratitude towards the God due to the abundant prosperity in that year. This has become a culture among fisherman in Jepara Regency, in fact. These days, the event even attracts tourists due to the various processions and sacred ambiance. As the time goes by, without a doubt, Perta Lomban is able to lure more tourists than other events like Perang Obor. After all, it is done in several days so tourists need to spend more days in Jepara if they don’t want to miss all the procession.
The Nuance
As people may expect, the nuance is both sacred and merry. It is because lots of local fishermen participate in the event and include a special procession called “melarung”. These people use their boats to throw offerings to the sea. The good thing is tourists are allowed to ride the boat and watch the procession directly (after getting permission from the villagers). The thing is tourists should have decided to stay about a week in Jepara in order to join the event thoroughly.
Exploring Pesta Lomban
First things come first. Tourists should know the history of Pesta Lomban before joining the event. In this case, hiring a tour guide is quite recommended. It is said the ceremony was the idea of H Sidik (who was a high official in Ujungbatu Village). His important merit was related to the locals’ prosperity. He spent his fortune to rent Panjang Island from the Dutch during the colonial era back then. The purpose was to provide an ample space for husbandry to villagers.
It is true Pesta Lomba includes several processions, so tourists should be passionate to keep pace with those stages. During the first three days, the locals gather and socialize with others. It is done right after Eid Al-Fitr, after all. Next, in the fourth to sixth day, they conduct several races and competitions in Kali Wiso area. These include duck hunting, panjat pinang, boat race, and much more. Perhaps this procession is the most fun one, as compared to others. Tourists are allowed to join and take photos too!
What about the seventh day? It is the sacred one, where the locals behead a buffalo. They also throw a shadow puppet performance at night and serve cooked buffalo meats to the guests. The last day, in the next morning, these people ride a boat and perform an offering to the sea. The prime offering is none other than the head of the buffalo! Tourists would be lucky if they are allowed to ride the boat and join this sacred procession, actually.
Nearby Attractions
- Senden Waterfall
- VOC Fort
- RA Kartini Museum
- Pelayaran Beach
- Kura-Kura Ocean Park
How to Get There
From the capital of Central Java Province, a trip to Jepara Regency takes around 2 hours and 5 minutes. The distance is 78.1 km, after all. As for the tip, it is recommended to take Kudus – Semarang Street for a faster trip. From Jepara, tourists should gather information either from the locals or tour agency regarding the schedule. It takes some time, but it is worth the effort. Have no worries.
Where to Stay
- Seaside Villa
- Puri Saripan
- Nusantara Hotel
- Kencana Hotel
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