Lomban: The Tradition of Competing for the Buffalo Head in Jepara During Syawalan

Jepara - Eid al-Fitr celebrations in many parts of Java do not end after just one or two days into Syawal, the month that marks the end of Ramadan. In many cities, the festivities continue for up to a week or even longer afterward.

People in Pekalongan call this "second Lebaran" Syawalan, while those in Kudus refer to it as Bodo Kupat. Various traditions usually accompany these week-long post-Eid celebrations. In Jepara Regency, there is a tradition known as Lomban.

Lomban is part of a series of sea alms (sedekah laut) rituals performed by the local community, most of whom work as fishermen. This tradition serves as an expression of requests for protection for the fishermen and hopes for abundant catches from the sea.

Literally, sedekah laut is a ritual of casting a buffalo head into the sea. Before the head is cast adrift, local residents hold a procession carrying offerings, which then grows into a large community festival centered at the Ujungbatu Fish Auction Place (TPI) in Jepara District.

Buffalo Procession (Kirab Kerbau)

This year, the ritual was held again at TPI Ujungbatu. Early in the morning, a sturdy brown-and-blonde Kebo bule, adorned with decorations on its head, was surrounded by the crowd. The buffalo was then paraded around the village with ropes tied to both sides of its neck.

The procession circled the village for approximately one kilometer, starting from TPI Ujungbatu to the Joko Kuto Animal Slaughterhouse. The parade was led by Jepara Regent Witiarso Utomo and Deputy Regent Muhammad Ibnu Hajar.

Leading the front rows of the procession were members of the Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda) and heads of regional government agencies (OPD). They walked on foot, following the procession for about 50 minutes.

"For the local community, this procession is not just a ceremonial event, but an important part of Jepara’s coastal cultural identity," said Regent Witiarso in his speech before the parade began.

For the people of Jepara, the bule buffalo that is paraded holds deep philosophical meaning, symbolizing a new spirit and great strength. Witiarso explained that the procession is not merely a parade, but also a symbol of transparency — showing that the buffalo to be cast into the sea is whole, not just the head.

"This also addresses public perceptions and helps preserve the values of belief that have been passed down through generations," he said.

The sound of traditional *Carang Pakang* music accompanying the entire procession added a sacred atmosphere to this event, which was being revived after a six-year hiatus. To enhance the sacredness, the chosen buffalo was not an ordinary one, but a *bule* buffalo, as decided collectively by the community.

"This uniqueness has attracted thousands of people and become a tourist attraction for Jepara," he added.

Preserving an Old Tradition

Thousands of people indeed crowded both sides of the road leading to the slaughterhouse. Many captured the moment until the *bule* buffalo reached the slaughter site. Wiwit (the familiar nickname for Witiarso) said this ritual is the community’s effort to preserve an old tradition.

Upon arrival at the Joko Kuto Slaughterhouse, the buffalo was immediately slaughtered. Its head would become the offering to be cast out to sea the next day in a miniature boat, while the rest of the body was cooked and shared among the residents.

For the people of Jepara, this procession is not just a parade, but a real manifestation of preserving ancestral heritage full of meaning. "Alhamdulillah, the enthusiasm of the community is extraordinary," Wiwit said after the slaughter at RPH Joko Kuto.

The next morning, thousands of residents from Jepara and surrounding areas once again filled the TPI Ujungbatu area to witness the casting of the buffalo head directly into the sea. Dozens of boats were ready to carry passengers accompanying the procession.

Cast Adrift Around Menjangan Island

Once in the waters around Menjangan Island, the miniature boat containing the bule buffalo head was set adrift as an expression of gratitude from the Jepara community for the abundant blessings of the sea. After it was released, people nearby immediately swam to compete for the buffalo head.

"This procession is a form of expressing gratitude, prayers, and hopes that the sea will continue to provide blessings, safety, and abundant catches for the people of Jepara, especially the fishermen," Wiwit said.

He explained that this tradition has been practiced for a very long time — more than a century — and has become a cultural treasure that not only holds spiritual value but also strengthens togetherness and the identity of Jepara’s coastal community.

"May today’s event bring blessings to all of us, especially the people of Jepara," he concluded.

Wiwit said that in the future, the Jepara Regency Government plans to make this tradition, known as Lomban Syawalan, a regular tourism agenda. The series of rituals will also be packaged in a more attractive way to draw the interest of both local and international tourists.

One of the additions planned, he mentioned, is the inclusion of various water attractions to entertain residents who do not participate in casting the buffalo head out to sea. The regency government also intends to collaborate with the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) to involve their warships in this cultural tradition.

“We will also invite bule-bule (foreigners). This distinctive Jepara cultural tradition deserves to be elevated so it can gain worldwide recognition. This is also part of our commitment to preserving and nurturing Jepara’s traditional culture,” he emphasized.