Cirebon historical tourism 
Cangkoak Village is located in the western part of Cirebon, which has diverse stories, history, and traditions that are still maintained today. Cangkoak village has 7200 inhabitants, whose livelihoods are agriculture, trade, fisheries, stone industry and furniture. Most of them are Farmers / Agriculture, the most
common livelihood of residents in Cangkoak Village.
Residents mostly source water from wells, both dug wells and boreholes. In addition, some of them use spring water. Meanwhile, electricity infrastructure in Cangkoak Village has been evenly distributed so that all residents can enjoy access to electricity for household needs, etc.
Health services in Cangkoak Village include a possesses conducted every Tuesday and Thursday from the puskesmas of the Dukupuntang sub-district. Cangkoak Village also has seven posyandu every week, which are carried out according to schedule.
The origin of the formation of Cangkoak Village
Cangkoak Village has various origins, and several stories are said to be the beginning of the formation of Cangkoak Village. Village officials say the origin of Cangkoak Village is due to a river made by Mr. Koak, which is referred to as Koak River. Previously, Cangkoak Village was part of Waru and was called Padukuhan Waru. Then, in the 1700s, it was developed as a village called Cangkoak Village. Some argue that the origin of Cangkoak Village is from the Chinese, which comes from the words “Cang” and “Koak,” but village officials say this source is not valid because, in the history of Cangkoak, there is a grave of Mr. Koak which is located in block 3.
Tradition and Culture in Cangkoak Village
Cangkoak Village has traditions that are still maintained; every year at Buyut Lingga and Buyut Sampora, there is always a Pagelaran Wayang Kulit. Then, there is also the Makaman/Haul. This event usually lasts two nights. The first night is filled with Pagelaran Wayang Kulit. Then, on the second night, a grand recitation and tabligh akbar are held, which the community attends. At Makaman or Haul, residents always prepare “Pontang,” called “Nasi Kotak.”
Language Diversity in Cangkoak Village
The natives of Cangkoak Village use Javanese as their daily language of communication. However, due to the presence of migrants from other villages or areas that are more dominant in Sundanese, the use of Sundanese is also often heard, especially in residential neighborhoods inhabited by people from
various regions.
Historical Heritage in Cangkoak Village
Cangkoak Village has a historical site known as Buyut Lingga, which holds many stories. Located at the village’s southern end, bordering Mandala Village, the site is a silent witness to a historical journey that dates back to the Rajagaluh Kingdom era. One of the main attractions at Buyut Lingga is the presence of an old Maqbaroh.
In addition to its historical value, Buyut Lingga has a sacred pond filled with fish. The fish are considered miraculous because they only have fins and heads without bodies, and residents widely use the water for drinking, bathing, and flowing into rice fields. Around the Buyut Lingga area are two hectares of land, including dry land and a mango orchard managed by residents of Block 1 Paningkiran. The harvest from this garden is used for the welfare of the community.
However, this site cannot be developed as a religious tourism site because the place is still not managed optimally. Infrastructure and supporting facilities are still minimal, so it has not been able to attract many visitors.
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Cangkoak Village
MSMEs in Cangkoak Village have developed various typical products that are the mainstay of the local community. Some of the superior products produced include salted eggs, red opak, and chips. These products are traditionally made with local ingredients. However, the development of MSMEs in Cangkoak Village is still limited. Currently, the marketing of MSME products is mainly done by entrusting them to shops around the village without a wider distribution network.
Written by:
Nita Wati
