cirebon natural tourism 
Overview of Kaliwulu Village
Kaliwulu village is located in the Plered sub-district, Cirebon district, West Java, Indonesia. With an area of 141.5 hectares with a population of 8969 people consisting of 4540 men and 4429 women. The livelihoods of Kaliwulu residents are provided by occupations such as farmers, traders, and factory employees. Additionally, the community uses Javanese as a means of communication in everyday life. Then, the infrastructure in the village is very adequate and well utilized, such as mosques, musholahs, soccer fields, and public cemeteries.
Observing Kaliwulu Village is the objective of this study by exploring its natural, economic, and socio-cultural potential. In addition, it identifies challenges that hinder potential development. Accurate data was obtained through direct interviews and field surveys.
The history of Kaliwulu Village began when Sunan Gunung Jati, or Ki Gede Kaliwulu, named Sheikh Syarif Abdurrahman stopped. Prayers were performed during his journey from Cirebon to the kingdom of Galuh. His retinue looked for a place to perform ablutions from the river. Thus, kali means river and wulu means ablution. This created the name Kaliwulu Village and has evolved until now.
The Potential of Kaliwulu Village
By being located in a strategic geography, residents are able to explore and utilize natural resources for livelihoods. The community utilizes the natural potential of 55 hectares of land to grow rice, fruits, and vegetables. Residents use the teak trees, which are rich in benefits, for their furniture business. The furniture business significantly boosts economic income by utilizing wood from teak trees and mango trees. In addition, another profession is the home industry. One of them is a sewing convection business that exists in several Kaliwulu hamlets. Given that Cirebon is famous for its characteristic batik. It benefits residents, especially housewives.
In addition, there is socio-cultural potential namely customs and traditions still believed by local residents. Bathing in the well of the Kaliwulu sacred mosque is a custom for women or widows to immediately get a mate. Inside the mosque there is a special room for women as a place to cool their minds from various problems. The community still carries out the tradition of opening sirab or replacing the roof every four years, aiming to replace the teak wood roof of Ki Gede Kliwulu’s tomb. Uniquely, the community replaces the wood in the cemetery or place according to the wind direction (west, east, south, and north).. Uniquely the pesarean or the place has wood per wind (west, east, south, and north). The difference between buka sirab from the villages around Kaliwulu village is the use of teak wood and the time of implementation.
The Challenges
Although the village repaired the roads, many sections remain damaged. This greatly disrupts the mobility of residents in their daily lives. In addition, the village work programs have not yet realized art and religious tourism. One solution to ensure that these plans are properly implemented is to conduct counseling and foster community cooperation.
Cirebon Culture Profile and Tourism
Written by Nita Urmila
English Literature, Institut Prima Bangsa Cirebon
