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Mysteries & Myths : Sukuh In Central Java

Sukuh situated on the slopes of Mount Lawu in the Village Berjo Karanganyar regency, Central Java, there is a temple which has a unique structure because it looks like a Mayan pyramid building. According to the promotion of Tourism Karanganyar, the temple which was built in 1437 Tantric Hindu society was not only the temple was the youngest in the archipelago is also the most erotic temples

In this temple complex there are statues of winged creatures. These creatures are referred to as the eagle because one of the statues that are still intact showed the head like an eagle. Only, these statues have arms and legs like a human and angelic wings. Is this statue depict extraterrestrials?

This temple is very simple and contains a number of reliefs with various shapes. Among other forms of male genital and women who made almost touching. In the row of reliefs that decorate the walls of the temple reliefs also depicted an angel with the body position of "resignation" as well as relief of a woman's uterus is quite large in size.


Also around the temple is also filled with reliefs that are not related to each other giving rise to many stories. The stories about the relief it can vary depending on the perception of the people in accordance with the point of view. There is a legend of Goddess Uma, who condemned him for doing oblique Guru with a herdsman. There are also stories of women who lost to gambling and released in this temple so that it can enter sawarga (heaven). Legend of the local people call this temple is a place to meet with the spirits of the dead.

Sukuh situated on the slopes of Mount Lawu at an altitude of 910 meters above sea level. Weather was cool and the rainy season is always a thick fog blanketed the area's beautiful natural temple. Each month between 200-250 foreign tourists come to the temple with a variety of purposes. In addition to seeing the temple was also a lot who do meditation because this temple is an area where residents Ruwatan slopes of Mount Lawu.

Page Sukuh itself consists of three terraces.

Taking into account the composition of the terrace in Sukuh many people trying to link the arts with the art of Egypt or Mexico. Due to enter the terrace we first have to pass through the gate, which if we look from below is similar pylon gate (gate to enter the pyramid) from Egypt.

On the left and right at the gate there are reliefs which show clearly that what is meant is the year tertentu.Kita see on the left there is a picture of a man who was swallowed by a giant. At the gate reads candra sengkala "
Bhutto gapuro Aban wong".

On top of a tree there are some birds, was under there was a dog who watched the terrible events. Please note that the Java literature gives specific numbers on the buildings or the reliefs on the items contained in each of arch gate means 9. Giant means 5, the swallow means 3 and the human one. Then the arrangement of numbers on the back and read from Java lies the year 1357 or the year AD 1437.

While the reliefs on the right shows the same year with the moon sengkala that reads "gapuro Bhutto nahut bu (n) tut" which means the number of years caka 1359. This relief was running a giant picture of a snake bite. At the top there is a creature was floating and a beast.

Floor we see any relief Linga (female genitals) dealing with the opposite sex yoni (male genitalia), perhaps a picture that has to do with the fact that the relief Sukuh genitals were fertility related ceremonies.

Source : www.yahoo.com

Indonesian Culture : The Legend Of Minangkabau












Once in the past Ranah Minangkabau gets threat of attack from the powerful kingdoms of Java. To avoid physical battle that would consume a lot of casualties, the Minangkabau conduct diplomacy and proposed that the war was replaced with buffalo fights. The proposal was approved by the king of Java, then dikirimlah great and mighty buffalo. From Minangkabau child is prepared but the thirst and buffalo horns mounted on spurs.


Minangkabau tribe does have a very close linkage with four-legged animal called a buffalo. That, among others, looks at various Minang cultural identity, such as the roof of their traditional houses (House Bogonjong). The traditional house is often called the Tower House is shaped like buffalo horns. Similarly, in female clothes (shirt Tanduak Kabau).















Already hundreds of years old buffalo became one of the favorite animals in the province of West Sumatra. Body large and stout buffalo considered able to help a wide range of human tasks. One of the ancient work is done with the assistance of the buffalo was grinding cane. With simple tools, the buffalo was tied at sebilah bamboo cane is connected to the traditional wringer. During eight hours of work, the buffalo constantly revolve around the wringer. Uniquely, so that the buffalo are not dizzy head, eyes closed animal with two coconut shells are coated fabrics.

The juice of the sugarcane juice that's bull that later became the forerunner of making traditional brown sugar. Brown sugar Minang community believes the hard work of the buffalo is more savory than the modern instrument.

When the fight begins, when children are still small buffalo was turned into a buffalo from Java, necessarily butting an opponent who thought her mother's abdomen and stabbed to death a buffalo from Java. Javanese king recognizes this victory and finally mengurungi his intention to attack the Minangkabau. Since then, the Minangkabau are said to wear a name Minangkabau means Win In Buffalo game as its cultural identity.

In terms of history, buffalo animal for a large tribe in West Sumatra has been delivering their glory in the past. That said, since time immemorial the buffalo help people in West Sumatra was winning the war against the Javanese. Finally, until now they are calling themselves as the Minangkabau tribe. "So the war did not end well, so we propose to contest only buffalo.

By the attackers sought the largest buffalo in the area placed in the middle of the field. People here are just kids who are suckling buffalo. Because buffalo has been two days without drinking milk, he ran after her mother's milk. So the big buffalo stomach was ripped and he ran away, "Datuk Bandaro Long story, traditional leaders.

The story of the buffalo was not only a mere legend. Until now the cattle market in Sumatra sell any more buffalo than cattle. Livestock sales system Minang people are also quite unique. In contrast to traditional vegetable markets in the cattle market is not going to sound a word between the seller and buyer. Transactions which applies only to use the hand. Fingers are used as calculation tools selling price of cattle to be purchased.















Dense bodies, stocky legs and a sharp eye. That's the hallmark of The Handcuffs, Kati's favorite buffalo Sutan, farmers Ranah Minang. For Kati Sutan, a buffalo like handcuffs like a treasure and honor. Handcuffs are not just any buffalo. He was a buffalo complaints that had won five games. Because of the greatness that is, the animal is then earned a strong mean handcuffs that lock the opponent.

Not just for sheer hobby, pleasure Kati Sutan follow buffalo fights are also to continue the tradition of the Minangkabau culture. The toughness of handcuffs which have five times won the game it makes Kati Sutan famous in his village. After the age of two years, the buffalo that have potential as complaints usually start trained by owners. This time, the handcuffs will be trained to prepare the physical strength before the game. Candidates must match a rival body weight exercises The Handcuffs. For if not balanced, the exercise will be useless to fight it.

Longest bull fighting exercises conducted for one hour. Once convinced of the power handcuffs, practice fighting stopped. Kati Sutan very confident the buffalo will win again. In the contest of strength buffalo buffalo not only a mainstay. Buffalo owners should also ask the spell of the shaman buffalo in order to win the match.

After the fight training, Kati Sutan also asked a shaman, spell buffalo to menjampi The Handcuffs. Like the previous game, Kati Sutan ask for help Sutan Marajo, buffalo fights a famous healer in the village. The shaman brings a number of natural ingredients to create herbal mainstay for The Handcuffs.

Natural materials consisting of ginger, ginger, pepper and other natural foliage starts blended. Over a high heat, herbs roasted until it is charred. While families were helped Kati Sutan. Other materials for the mixed herbs, such as duck eggs, lemon juice, drink supplement and one bottle of dark beer also prepared.

After all the ingredients ready, Sutan Marajo began to recite mantras and burning incense. He prayed that the dijampinya buffalo could win the game. Incantations were mixed herbs. After that, the mixture was then placed on a leaf the next day will be given to The Handcuffs. Kati family Sutan Handcuffs are then prepared for the hero pitted next day.

Game day arrived. Kati Sutan start getting ready. But before leaving the arena there are a number of rituals that have to do the shaman, which is owned by The Handcuffs sharpen horns. Horn is one part of the body buffalo is the easiest to injure an opponent. Therefore should be made as sharp as possible. With a knife sharpened horns Sutan Marajo The Handcuffs. Now the horns of the buffalo has been sharp like a sword.

Ritual was resumed. Like humans, handcuffs have a bath first before progressing to the battle arena. While the body of water membalurkan Handcuffs, Sutan Marajo chanting incantations in order to champion Kati Sutan ajiannya this strong against the enemy. After the bath is finished, the shaman spell giving potion-jampinya made yesterday afternoon. Without the handcuffs against any herb the shaman and then ate greedily. Not to forget the body was covered with mud-built cuffs and soot to make it look dashing. Now all the preparations have been carried over. Handcuff the hero can not wait to meet a rival opponent.



That afternoon in the sun, handcuffs removed from the cage. Like a hero, proudly walked around the village handcuffs to the arena game. The location of the arena game about seven kilometers from the village of Kati Sutan. But accompanied by the shaman Sutan Marajo, Handcuffs undaunted running. Even occasional, burly buffalo began to run as if impatient to meet the challenger.

Handcuffs finally arrived at the location of the match. Apparently the opponent has to wait at the corner of the arena. Handcuffs are tough opponents coming from a neighboring village. In contrast to the handcuffs that had participated five times the match, his opponent was about this time forward to the bull fighting arena.

One by one the audience began to arrive to the arena. With a reasonably priced tariff, the viewer can choose the most convenient places around the arena. Originally made to keep fighting buffalo Minangkabau ethnic traditions. Unfortunately recent events buffalo fights actually used the audience to bet or gamble. Similarly, in the game handcuffs. And handcuffs who championed. Almost the entire audience to bet Handcuff the hero will win the game.

When the awaited arrived. Two buffalo complaint brought to the center of the field. And without waiting for the cue again, the second buffalo chasing each other directly. Not unexpectedly, who championed precisely Handcuffs scuttled to avoid the opponent. Adu buffalo this time was no longer running. In just a moment, Handcuffs surrendered and ran headlong out of the arena.

The audience went home with great disappointment. Handcuff the hero was not able to retain his title. Rona also disappointment on the faces Kati Sutan. Handcuffs whopping loss of honor for the family as Kati Sutan.

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