KAJANG HARVEST CEREMONIAL

The amount of agricultural land owned by ethnic Kajang is located far from their residence is a special grace. With an area of wetlands that produce tons of rice every year, people always avoid the dangers of interest starvation. Grace was very grateful to all citizens. After each harvest, so they always perform a traditional ceremony that aims to thank the Creator. Ritual called Rumatang led by Ammatoa.


Since morning the preparation of Rumatang ceremony is clearly visible in the Ammatoa field. At the time women have come and started to cook food under a hut belonging Ammatoa. Various types of special food prepared for Tribe Kajang ceremonial purposes and had lunch together.

Preaparatory on the edge of the field is led by an elderly woman who already knows the kind of food should be prepared for casualties. Under her leadership, the woman began to cook various foods, including rice with four colors.

At that moment the women were busy preparing the offerings, the man also began to bind their rice crop to be a big bond. After binding, the harvest of rice drying in the sun.

At noon, the ceremony marks must be done. Before the launching of the summit, citizens gathered together under the Ammatoa alcove for lunch. Uniquely lunch at the edge of this field has certain requirements. Rice must be drawn from black rice. Because this is the first type of rice that for the first time can be planted by their ancestors. Lunch followed by a ceremonial drinking blackstrap typical South Sulawesi called "ballo". Everyone was obliged to drink ballo from the same glass as a symbol of brotherhood.

After lunch, men were assigned to carry the rice that has been tied heading into their village. They brought rice using a wooden chip. They walked along the paddy field with a distance of about 10 kilometers. However, heavy load and long distance are not troubeling at all as they feel the joy of plentiful harvest.

After the men returned to the field, the ceremony of "Rumatang" which means praise to the Creator begins. They gathered under a booth for prayer and bless the offerings that will be dedicated to God.

Eight offerings that had been prepared at the booth held at the edge of rice fields. Four-color offerings of rice, side dishes, fruits in a ceremony blessed by Ammatoa in Rumatang ceremony. After the blessing, the offerings was brought by a citizen to eight separate places on the wind direction. There are placed in rice fields and there is also placed on water resources. This offer is producing significant breakthrough not only enjoyed by the man himself. But the land, wind and all the elements in the earth that helps harvest is successful, will also feel the results.

A strong sense of brotherhood among the citizens of Kajang Ethnic make hard rules apply as if lost. Together they seek to preserve the rule of living as their ancestors had to isolate themselves from the outside world. But in isolation, each population lives happily without ever shortage of clothing, food, or whiteboard. Even their food supply is always abundant throughout the year.