cirebon cullinary 
Panjalin Kidul is one of the villages in Sumberjaya District, Majalengka Regency, West Java. The daily lives of its inhabitants and preserved traditions shape the village’s distinctive social, economic, and cultural character. Most of the population works in the agriculture and trade sectors. Which can reflect the village economy that is still very much related to the surrounding natural resources.
In addition, the social life in Panjalin Kidul is also interesting to observe. The community is known to have a high sense of community. This can be seen from the various traditional events that are routinely held. Cultural traditions such as traditional ceremonies, local arts, and holiday celebrations are an important part of their lives. Observations in this village were conducted to understand how social, economic and cultural dynamics continue to evolve with the changing times. With the development of technology and access to information, the village is also experiencing changes that affect the lifestyle of its people. Even so, the residents of Panjalin Kidul still try to maintain the local wisdom that has been passed down from generation to generation.
History of Panjalin Kidul
This village has fascinating history. In the past, the Sultan of Mataram sent 40 envoys to meet Prince Bonang, who at that time ruled the west side of the Cimanuk River in Majalengka. Their main task was to collect tribute from Pangeran Bonang as a form of obligation to Mataram. Before reaching their destination, they stopped by Randegan, Jatitujuh Sub-district. There, they met Ki Patih Ambeng, who had the same mission to collect tribute from Prince Bonang. In Randegan, there was an argument between delegation and Ki Patih Ambeng’s delegation.
Ki Patih Ambeng emphasized that before they could face Prince Bonang, they must first defeat him. So, there was a battle between the group and Ki Patih Ambeng. Ki Patih Ambeng dived into the Cimanuk River and large & wide-mouthed crocodiles emerged from the river, ready to fight with the envoys of Mataram. So they stopped fighting and did not go to Prince Bonang. The authorities call the place of the incident “CIBOGOR,” meaning Silence, and it is in Jatitujuh District. To save themselves, each of them looked for a safe area.
Some chose to settle in the rattan forest on the banks of the Ciwaringin River. In that place, they began to mingle with the natives, some of whom were even married residents. From that marriage, a child named Sarini was born. People later knew Sarini as Buyut Sarini, a key figure in opening the forest, which eventually developed into the current Panjalin Village.
Panjalin consists of two parts: Panjalin Kidul and Panjalin Lor. What we will discuss is only Panjalin Kidul.
Geography of Panjalin Kidul
This village is on the border between the Majalengka and Cirebon districts. The town has the largest population in Kecamatan Sumberjaya, with around 11,646 people. Most of the residents work as traders and farmers. The village borders several villages, namely Rancaputat Village, Sumberjaya, and Majalengka. Prapatan village, Sumberjaya, Majalengka. Ciwaringin village, Ciwaringin, Cirebon. Budur village, Ciwaringin, Cirebon.
Culture of Panjalin Kidul
The village actively preserves its cultural heritage, including the Panjalin Traditional House. The community built this historical site hundreds of years ago during Sunan Gunung Jati’s mission to spread Islam in West Java. Using a single teak tree trunk, they constructed the house in Dukuh Tengah, Panjalin Kidul Village.
On the wooden wall of this building, the villagers inscribed a family message: “Mutus Karuhun, Megat Katurunan,” with the word “Munafek” in the middle. This message emphasizes the importance of preserving ancestral heritage, as people consider those who break the connection hypocrites. Over time, the village has maintained this building as a significant cultural heritage site in Panjalin Kidul.
Beyond its traditional architecture, the village upholds the Guar Bumi tradition, which coincides with its anniversary. The villagers practice Guar Bumi as a Sundanese expression of gratitude. They organize this event as part of Panjalin Kidul’s 214th-anniversary celebration, thanking Allah SWT for their harvest success and marking the beginning of the planting season.
The villagers celebrate their anniversary for seven days and seven nights. On peak days, they organize a cultural carnival, while throughout the week, they enjoy Wayang Golek performances and other cultural celebrations.
Then, this village has a specialty food, Kerupuk Miskin. Although there are various versions of Krupuk Miskin in other places, this village has its characteristics two color variants: white and a combination of pink and white. Making this Krupuk Miskin is unique it is roasted using clean sand. The local community often consumes Krupuk Miskin as a snack or complement to daily dishes. Its popularity has made it part of the village’s culinary identity.
The villagers primarily speak Sundanese as their mother language, but also frequently use Javanese. Since the village borders Cirebon Regency, the surrounding area influences their language. Over time, the community has developed a dialect that blends Javanese Cirebon and Sundanese. Besides geographical factors, migrants from outside the city have also contributed to the village’s language diversity.
The local community actively preserves the village’s diverse culture, reflecting its rich ancestral heritage. In addition to these cultural traditions, villagers frequently organize Babarit events, which occur when a woman reaches seven months of pregnancy.
Conclusion
In the end, Panjalin Kidul is not just another village; its long history makes it even more interesting to learn about. From the story of the Mataram envoys who eventually settled there to Buyut Sarini’s role in opening up the area, everything is part of the village’s unique identity. The history is incredible, and the culture in Panjalin Kidul is still robust. People still maintain traditions such as Guar Bumi and Babarit, along with a unique culinary specialty, Krupuk Miskin. In addition, because the village is located on the border of Majalengka and Cirebon, it has a unique mix of culture and language, combining Sundanese and Cirebon Javanese.
Shobilatul Fadhilah
