If Madura had Kerapan Sapi then Bali has Makepung. Two traditions are similar but not equal, but the unique spectacle of a fresh and entertaining.
Makepung that in the Indonesian language means romp, is the tradition of buffalo racing contest that has long been attached to the people of Bali, especially in Jembrana regency. This tradition was originally just a game farmers who carried on the sidelines of plowing activities at the harvest season. At that time, they quickly clashing with buffalo spur attached to a cart and is controlled by a jockey.
The longer, fraudulent activity that was originally developed and increasingly in demand among many. Now, Makepung has become one of the most interesting cultural attractions and many watched by tourists including foreign tourists. Not only that, even this buffalo race racing has become an annual agenda of tourism in Bali and professionally managed.
Today, Makepung not only followed by the farmers alone. Employees and employers of the city too much to become participants and supporters. Moreover, in a big fight, Governors Cup, for example, participants who attended Makepung can reach about 300 pairs of water buffalo or even more. The atmosphere was very festive with the presence of the musicians Jegog (Balinese gamelan made of bamboo) to liven up the atmosphere of the race.
Unlike Kerapan Madura Cattle that are race or other event, Makepung have a few unique rules. The winner of this contest is not only determined who or where the buffalo pairs who reached the finish line first only, but will also be determined from the distance between the participants who were playing. That is, a participant would be considered a winner if he becomes a leader when it reaches the finish and be able to keep a distance from the participants on the back, as far as 10 m.
However, if the spouse who is behind the water buffalo could narrow the distance with the participants in front of him, to less than 10 m, then the pair of buffalo on the back that's what will come out as winners. The race finished in a matter of eight to ten minutes in each of his race.
Enthusiasts and participants in Jembrana Makepung divided into two groups known as the West Block and East Block. Distribution of this block based on the flow of Ijo Gading River which divides the capital of Jembrana. Both blocks will meet in an official race every two weeks. And, each block has its own circuit which is often used as a location to practice or race were formalized.
Unique things that make Makepung become an exciting and interesting spectacle, is an expression of a jockey who is above cikar and is being encouraged at both the buffalo with shouted their respective regions. The jockey whip buffalo with a stick during the race over the track width of 2 m is to be able to achieve maximum speed.Some jockeys also use special sticks where there are small spikes attached to the staff. So, no surprise when buffalo are used to bleed after this race.
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