The RItual Of Robo - Robo

Robo-robo is a traditional ceremony in Mempawah, West Kalimantan. Robo-robo means Wednesday or means the robo-robo is held on the last week on syafar. Robo-robo held as memorial service for the journey of Opu Daeng Manambon. Besides that, robo-robo also held to avoid disaster which may come in syafar.

The beginning of the story was when Opu Daeng Manambonn and his wife, Putri Kesumba, came to Mempawah kingdom to receive authority from Panembahan Putri Kesumba in 1148 Hijriyah or 1737 M. When they arrived in Mempawah they were welcomed gladly and nicely by the Mempawah’s people in bank of river.

The coming of Opu Daeng Manambon and his wife coincided on the last week of syafar. So, besides welcomed Opu daeng Menambon and his wife, according to the belief that syafar was the month of disaster, the people and Opu Daeng Menambon with his wife prayed together to God to be avoided from disaster before ate the food.

In the next year, robo – robo was held by people on last week of syafar outside their house. Before the robo – robo starts, the people echoed adzan  and prayed to God to be avoided and protected from disaster. Next, they do the ritual to keep the disaster away by throwing the offering stuff for the spirits to the river. Finally, they eat the food that they made and serve together.

Because of this ceremony people break the pillars of differences : social,  status, and race. Everyone can join the ceremony.

Source : http : //fritaren.blogspot.com/

- Adam Soefian
- Dea Athaya Luthfiyya
XI IPA 2