Belitung doesn't only have beautiful beaches. But there you will find a variety of cultures and traditions that are not less interesting to explore. One of the tangible culture of the game that is so interesting to watch in Belitung is Antu Bubu. Antu Bubu itself is so interesting because it is full of mystery. The impression of mystery that is obtained from the game itself can be seen before and when the game starts.
ORIGIN OF WORDS AND HISTORY OF POWDER
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Regarding the origin of the word Antu Bubu can be traced from the elements of two words namely Antu which means ghost and Bubu which means a place to catch fish. Bubu made from rattan braid is indeed often used to capture fish. To catch fish, traps will be placed in a place that has a lot of fish. After that, just waiting for the time the fish enter the trap and trapped.
Meanwhile, from its history, Antu Bubu is narrated starting from the story of someone named Jonah who likes to catch fish with bubu. Until one day, Jonah put a trap in a place but not a single fish entered and trapped into the trap for days. Because it felt strange that no fish had entered the trap, Jonah took out his power to find out the cause. From there Yunus found that the cause was Sumadim who stole his fish. Sumadim who was found out was then killed by Yunus. Sumadim himself was killed near Yunus laying a trap.
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Because of this event, many clever people or shamans who perpetuate the events of Yunus and Sumadim become a game of Atu Bubu. The smart people had indeed assumed that the ghost of Sumadim was haunting and could be asked to enter the trap. Well those who later fight the trap can often be possessed.
THE MYSTERY OF MYSTERY IS MYSTERY
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Although many say that this game is a manifestation of the habits of the local community when hunting fish with traps, but still a very thick mystical feel. The thick mystical nuances of the Antu Bubu game can indeed be found from the bubu itself. Moreover, seeing the traps covered with shroud, we are increasingly made curious about what is in the traps. Once the mystical Antu Bubu himself made this game and was devoted only to adults, it was aimed at experienced adults only.
PREPARATION BEFORE GAME
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Before doing this Antu Bubu game, several things are needed, such as bubu, coconut cough, shroud, a handler and a challenger. Who becomes the handler or shaman in the game Antu Bubu is not just anyone. Because the handler in Antu Bubu must have a high spiritual ability and be able to communicate with the spirit. Not only that, before a handler leads the Antu Bubu game they usually have to fast mutih for 21 days.
To do this Antu Bubu game itself is usually held in a sandy place like a beach. Meanwhile, for participants or challengers anyone can participate. But because this game is considered quite dangerous then the handler will decide who can compete. Usually the challengers chosen by the handler are those who are physically and mentally strong.
While equipment such as coconut shells that are needed in this Antu Bubu game must be peeled and then placed on the bubu. Then the coconut shell will be carved and polished in such a way that it will look like a human face. Next, the traps that have been affixed to the coconut shell will be wrapped in a shroud so that it looks like a human wearing a mukena. For bubu made from bamboo, bamboo must be stranded on the beach with a position not parallel to the coastline. Finally, there is a shroud used in Antu Bubu which states it must originate from the former body mat.
After all the equipment has been prepared, the handler will then chant the mantra while sprinkling kemenan in the censer. From here smoke will appear from the incense burner which will later be brought to the trap to ask the spirit to enter the trap. Before the game really starts, a prayer will be led by a handler or village shaman. This prayer reading is done to avoid bad things that can happen.
LET'S START THIS GAME
When everything is ready, the shaman or handler will signal the game begins. Opponents who are ready are allowed to directly attack the traps by hugging or controlling the traps. To fight this trap, the opponent is also allowed to damage the trap. But because the bubu that is already filled with spirits, then to fight this bubu is not easy to do. Not even a few experienced opponents fell and rolled around against the traps.
The winners in this game themselves are those who succeed in damaging and controlling the trap. There are also those who claim that the winners in this Antu Bubu game are those or challengers who are able to set up and escape, then retreat three rare from bubu. The success of the opponent damaging the trap itself is considered as a sign that the ghost in the trap was successfully conquered. But in reality it is not uncommon to find a game where an opponent who fails to damage the trap. If an opponent is found to have broken the trap too long, usually the handler will stop the game and then remove the spirit from the trap. From here the challenger or opponent is deemed to be defeated and the trap will be the winner.
In this Antu Bubu game the handler has indeed become the most instrumental figure in determining the course of the game. If the handler feels the game is not safe and is dangerous to people, the handler will stop the game. The handler who has high spiritual ability will also heal or neutralize challengers who are possessed in the game. In this Antu Bubu game, there are not a few comers who have been possessed. When you start possessing, the challenger will usually feel heavy, out of control like a ghost, and end up unconscious.
BUBU ATTRACTION
Antu Bubu always attracts the attention of many parties. Even so interestingly Antu Bubu made this game then set as the Intangible Cultural Heritage (WBTB) of Indonesia 2017 at the Millennium Hotel, Jakarta. One of the local wisdoms of East Belitung is that it always attracts many parties when it will be held. Of course one of the things that makes Antu Bubu so interesting is its mystical impression. Now, Antu Bubu's game is still often performed especially when there are events or artistic activities held by the Provincial Government of Belitung. The convening of an event that contains the Antu Bubu game in it usually aims to promote East Belitung tourism. When the event was held, it was not only local people and domestic tourists who were interested in seeing Antu Bubu, but at that time it was not uncommon for foreign tourists who were interested in watching it.
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