Tradisi Buang Au from Lombok,NTB,Indonesia

Buang Au Tradition  or disposing of ash is one of the treasures of the local culture of a typical hereditary Sasak people, the ethnic majority in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. Dispose of Au is the term used by the Sasak people to refer to the birth ceremony, a week after the completion of the process of childbirth by a midwife (healers). The ceremony which literally means throwing the ashes was carried out after a shaman who by tradition is always burning charcoal, which was then placed under the baby bed. The tradition of burning charcoal was intended that after delivery the baby's body to feel the warmth. In the ceremony, a week after the charcoal burned and laid, charcoal has become ashes and then removed and discarded. The process of disposal of ashes ceremony is then known as Au Discard ceremony. 

No one knows exactly when this art was born. However, you need to know is that tradition is the Au Discard supposedly hereditary tradition has long been conducted by the Sasak ethnic community. No doubt, this tradition became a ritual that still survive until today, although modern culture has penetrated the lives of some communities in Sasak.. As we know, the Exhaust ceremonial procession implementation of Au has been institutionalized in such a manner. Series of events that have been completed with tatacaranya. This proves that this tradition is always inherited and institutionalized by the Sasak people. Although turnover in each generation can not be avoided, the procession ceremony in the ceremony Buang Au keep running without any significant change in every generation. 

In practice, besides Buang Au  ceremony procession involving many people, this procession is also always involves a functionary or a scholar. In this case, a landowner who held a series of events Buang Au, entrust the entire course of the procession on the occasion of this scholar. Previously, they also do consulting on the scholars' / stakeholders associated with the name of the baby. According to the Sasak people's beliefs, giving the name of the baby should not be done by anyone. 

For them, the name of a baby will also influence the future and the fate of the baby and her family later. If the name given does not match the baby herself, then his fate will be worse, and vice versa, a good name will make the baby a bright future. Therefore, the selection of names is usually done by way of consultation on a stake. However, a stake believed to have supernatural powers and an expert in the science of calculation of the month as the smart people in Java. Nevertheless, the Sasak people also often use a grandfather or great-grandfather who had died as a baby in order to honor and remember them. 

The course of implementation of the Buang  Au ceremony procession, usually, held in Berugak or bale-bale, a place to sit around a typical community in Lombok Sasak time together and relax with his relatives. Because of this Buang Au ceremony led by a figure of spiritual and ritual, namely Kiai, then the host or in a language Sasak tribe called epen gawe fully entrust the course of the procession on this Kiai. The Kiai This became a central figure in the entire series of the ceremony. From the beginning of the procession that carried the show like a cleansing ceremony (Powder shampoo) to the baby, the application of certain herbs on the baby's forehead, followed by a series of meal-eating and praying together with the guests, a Kiai was the one who led the procession circuit. 

Meanwhile, as for some of the tools used in a ceremonial procession Buang  Au is also the special tools. Tools such as powder shampoo, lekesan and Sampak are tools that have never missed when the ceremony was performed. Shampoo powder is a mixture of coconut milk, chicken blood sembek and placed in the coconut shell. As already mentioned, this is the concoction of these three elements are then smeared on the forehead baby with the hope that he get the blessing. Lekesan is a particular dish is prepared for the offering as it existed in other tribes, such as Java and Madura. The Sampak is a tool made from the ground whose function is similar to the tray. In addition to those devices, usually the host has prepared various dishes offered as a special banquet for the guests. The main menu of dish servings Invited Guests are usually not separated from the material of beef, buffalo, goat or chicken. Dishes are adapted to the existing capacity of the ceremony.