Seblang Banyuwangi dance is not just an ordinary performing art, it is one of the most sacred and mystical cultural heritages of Banyuwangi. Osing Tribe, the indigenous tribe of Banyuwangi.
This dance is a traditional ritual that is performed once a year as part of a ceremony. village cleanup and Tolak Bala (removing bad luck).
Witnessing Seblang is an experience that takes you right into the heart of the beliefs and spirituality of the ancient Blambangan people.
Origin, Philosophy, and Meaning of Seblang Dance
The history of Seblang Dance from Banyuwangi is shrouded in a mystical aura, making it one of the oldest traditions in East Java.
Seblang is a type of ritual dance
Categorically, Seblang Dance is a type of dance ritual. It differs from performance dance such as Gandrung in that its main purpose is not entertainment, but spiritual and traditional.
Seblang Meaning
Etymologically, the word Seblang is believed to come from a combination of two words in the Osing language: “sebele ilang”, which means “bad luck or misfortune is gone.”
Therefore, seblang dance from Banyuwangi is a dance that functions as the main medium to cleanse the village from negative energy, prevent disease outbreaks (pageblug), and invoke the safety and fertility of the harvest to the ancestors.
The Legend of the First Dancer (Spring)
One of the historical chronicles often associated with Seblang is the story of Semi, who came to be known as the foundation of the first female Gandrung dance.
It is said that when Semi was young, he suffered from a severe illness that never went away. Her mother, Mbok Milah, vowed that if Semi recovered, she would be made into a Seblang dancer.
Semi recovered, fulfilled her vow, and in her teens she became a Gandrung dancer, passing on the tradition to her descendants.
The difference between Seblang in Olehsari and Bakungan
Although Seblang Dance comes from one Osing cultural root, this ritual has two different and equally sacred faces, performed in two different locations: Olehsari Village and Bakungan Village, both of which are in Glagah Sub-district.
The fundamental difference lies in the timing and the status of the dancers.
Seblang Olehsari
The ritual in Olehsari is always held for seven consecutive days, exactly a week after Eid al-Fitr.
The Seblang dancer here must be a virgin girl who has not yet reached puberty and comes from the lineage of the previous dancer.
This young dancer symbolizes the “Goddess of Fertility” and new hope, and uses the omprok (crown) is made fresh from banana leaves or fresh flowers every year.
Seblang Bakungan
Unlike Olehsari, the ritual in Bakungan is only performed for one full night, exactly a week after Eid al-Adha.
Instead, the Seblang dancer in Bakungan must be a menopausal woman (over 50 years old), symbolizing the “Ancestral Spirit” that has matured and is respected.
Omprok They are also permanent, passed down from year to year.
This unique difference shows how rich the Osing tradition is in interpreting the cycle of life and spirituality, where youth and old age both have an important role in cleaning the village.
Seblang Sacred Procession
At the heart of Seblang Dance is a strong mystical element, where the dancers act as a medium of communication with the ancestral spirits of the village.
Election and Ritual Kejiman
Seblang dancers are not chosen randomly; they must come from the lineage of previous dancers and are chosen supernaturally through supernatural guidance to a handler (Gambuh).
The performance begins with the dancer entering the trance or kejiman (trance).
When the dancer is successfully possessed, she dances with her eyes closed, her movements monotonous, following the rhythm of the Osing music played by the accompanist.
Ider Bumi and Moment Tundik
During the ritual at Olehsari, there is an Ider Bumi procession, which parades dancers around the village as a symbol of cleansing.
The most awaited climactic moment is Tundik, where a possessed dancer will throw a shawl at the audience. Whoever is hit by the shawl is obliged to join the dance.
The purpose of Seblang dance at this moment is as a form of blessing and to “ward off bad luck” for those affected. Refusing an invitation to dance is considered a taboo, and Seblang dancers will chase the audience until they are willing to dance.
Tourism Attractions and How to See Them
Although a sacred ritual, Seblang Dance is now a leading cultural tourism attraction in Banyuwangi. The dance offers an authentic spectacle, with repetitive abstract movements, magical musical rhythms, and elements of the ritual. trance which creates a gripping yet mesmerizing atmosphere.
Access to Olehsari and Bakungan villages, located in Glagah sub-district, not far from Banyuwangi city center, is easy. Given the very specific and limited timing of the ritual, travelers should plan their visit carefully.
To make it easier for you to reach the ritual site and anticipate the limited public transportation there, it is highly recommended to use the services of the Rent a car in Banyuwangi. With a car rental, you can arrange your own schedule of visits, even if you have to catch up on rituals that start in the afternoon and continue into the evening, without worrying about running out of transportation.
Deep Meaning for Osing People
For the Osing Tribe, the Seblang Dance goes far beyond mere performance:
- Vow Fulfillment: This ritual is a form of community obedience in fulfilling ancestral vows.
- Solidarity and Interaction: Seblang functions as a bond of community solidarity, where all residents work together in the implementation of the clean village ceremony.
- Spiritual Communication Medium: It is a bridge between the human world and the ancestral spirits, who are believed to maintain the balance of nature and provide protection.
The Seblang tradition is clear evidence of how local culture can survive and be respected amidst the onslaught of modernity. It teaches gratitude, respect for nature, and an unbroken belief in the spiritual heritage of the ancestors.
