Seblang Bakungan 2025: A Sacred Dance Revival That Echoes Through Banyuwangi’s Spirit

Hello, fellow travelers! Prepare to be enchanted by the mesmerizing soul of Banyuwangi’s culture.

The sacred Seblang Bakungan ceremony is returning from June 10 to 12, 2025, starting each evening at 6:00 PM local time. The festivities begin with a vibrant bazaar showcasing local micro-businesses, a curated dance series, and the much-loved Jazz Patrol performances on June 10–11. The core ritual takes place on June 12, when the trance dance will once again invoke ancestral blessings.

Location: Bakungan Subdistrict, Glagah, Banyuwangi, East Java
Time: Starts at 18:00 WIB

Seblang Bakungan is more than just a dance—it is an ancient rite of the Osing people, rooted in both spirituality and tradition. Typically held in Bakungan Village, this ritual features a female dancer who has reached menopause, believed to be spiritually capable of entering a trance state. This performance is not merely entertainment; it is an offering of gratitude, a cleansing ritual for the village, and a prayer for peace and prosperity.

The mystical procession begins shortly after the Maghrib prayers with a hajat prayer session at the village mosque. The atmosphere transforms as the villagers participate in a glowing torch parade, symbolizing the light that purifies the community. The ritual continues with a communal selamatan meal, reinforcing social bonds and harmony.

Following the shared meal, the focal moment arrives. The chosen dancer steps onto the stage in a trance-like state, surrounded by the evocative sounds of traditional gending music. Her body, no longer bound by the conscious mind, flows with sacred movements believed to be guided by ancestral spirits.

Various ceremonial items accompany the ritual: colored sticky rice (ketan sabrang), wingko rice cake, traditional cone rice (tumpeng), betel offerings (kinangan), and fresh flowers. Symbolic objects such as puppets, whips, and coconuts also hold ritual meaning and are part of the dancer’s surroundings.

The ritual holds a deep spiritual and cultural significance for the Osing people. While it shares similarities with Seblang Olehsari, performed by young girls a week after Eid al-Fitr, Seblang Bakungan differs both in the age of the dancer and its timing, as it traditionally takes place one week after Eid al-Adha.

The essence of Seblang Bakungan lies in its spiritual resonance, its cultural preservation, and the community’s shared devotion.

Function and Meaning:

• Village Cleansing: A spiritual ritual to cleanse the village of negative elements.

• Gratitude Expression: A sacred way to thank the divine for blessings received.

• Prayer Offering: Invocations for safety, peace, and continued prosperity.

• Spiritual-Social Fusion: Blends Islamic prayer with ancestral rituals unique to the Osing culture.

• Cultural Preservation: A living tradition that protects and promotes Banyuwangi’s unique heritage.

Don’t miss the chance to witness this rare cultural phenomenon. Bring your friends and family to experience the mystical and collective spirit of Seblang Bakungan 2025—a moment when tradition, trance, and togetherness become one.

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