Cirebon historical tourism 
Mertasinga Village, one of 15 villages in Gunung Jati District, Cirebon Regency, is a coastal area in northern Java. It was once the Mertasinga Kingdom, which contributed to the origins of the Cirebon Sultanate. Today, people can still find its remnants, such as Lawang Gede Si Blawong.https://cirebonbebudaya.blogspot.com/2017/11/situs-lawang-gede-si-blawong.html
Lawang Gede stands as a historical testament to the Mertasinga Kingdom’s establishment. In the early 17th century, some courtiers of the Cirebon Palace, uncomfortable with Dutch colonial dominance, chose to leave. Prince Suryanegara refused to cooperate with the Dutch and left the palace.
Prince Suryanegara traveled north, where he lived a nomadic life, spread Islam, and advanced agriculture. He firmly believed that when people prospered, the nation remained safe. Along the way, he passed through several villages, including Bulak Village, Jati Tujuh, Lemah Tamba, and Pagertoya, before finally settling in Mertasinga.
Meanwhile, Mertasinga had long served as the center of the Singapore Kingdom in Cirebon, making it a hub for diverse cultures. Due to its coastal location and bustling port, it regularly welcomed ships docking at Muara Jati. Geographically, the kingdom was surrounded by Surantaka to the south, Wangiri to the west, Japura to the north, and the Java Sea to the east.
Today, pilgrims from across Cirebon visit Lawang Gede. Many seek solace or hope to fulfill personal wishes, believing in the site’s sacredness.
On the 1st of Syuro every year, large crowds gather at Lawang Gede to celebrate Cirebon’s birthday. Residents commemorate the occasion by reading Mertasinga’s history, ensuring its legacy continues.
Location and geography
Mertasinga Village, located at 12854577 East longitude and 6223002 West longitude, faces the Java Sea to the east. It borders Sirnabaya Village to the west, Muara and Purwawinangun Villages to the north, and the Bondet River and Grogol Village to the south.
Spanning 93 hectares, Mertasinga includes residential areas, rice fields, plantations, and public infrastructure. With a wet tropical climate, it receives 2,400 mm of rainfall annually and maintains a 30°C average temperature. The village also holds untapped potential in fisheries, offering opportunities for economic growth.
Population
Mertasinga Village is part of the Gunung Jati District area. Specifically, the village consists of six RWs and 18 RTs. According to census data, it has a total population of 6,681, including 3,234 men and 3,447 women. This demographic structure reflects a balanced population distribution, contributing to the village’s social and economic dynamics.
Natural And Economic Potential
Mertasinga Village has great natural potential in fisheries because it is located in a coastal area. The sea and waters around this village provide abundant fish resources, so many people work as fishermen.
Economically, around 80% of the villagers work as fishermen. They look for fish in the sea, cultivate fish, and sell their catch to the market. In addition, there are also seafood processing businesses that make salted fish, fish crackers, and various other processed seafood.
With supporting natural resources and many people who depend on the fisheries sector, Mertasinga Village has an excellent opportunity to continue to develop in this field.
Traditions In Mertasinga Village
The social condition of the people of Mestasinga Village still upholds norms and customs. So far, the Mertasinga people still carry out a hereditary custom of the teachings of religions taught by their parents and the relics of their ancestors such as carrying out the traditional tradition of Nadran.
The fishing community of Mertasinga Village takes full responsibility for organizing the Nadran ceremony. At the village level, the fish auction cooperative manages the event, while residents from different settlements, such as Blok Jenawi Lor, Blok Jenawi Kidul, Blok Kemudinan, Blok Depok Lor, and Blok Depok Kidul, prepare for the ceremony within their neighborhoods.
Before performing the Nadran ritual, village elders, community leaders, local government officials, and fishermen meet to determine the event’s schedule and form the organizing committee. The committee includes a chairperson, vice chairman, secretary, treasurer, assistant treasurer, members, and supporters who actively assist in the tradition. They also choose a lebe, who slaughters the buffalo, and a pemangku kapalan/jelon, who prepares the ritual offerings for the miniature ship replica (kapalan/jelon).
After forming the committee, the chairman, treasurer, and other members immediately begin raising funds. They collect donations from sponsors and local fishermen, emphasizing the community’s spirit of cooperation to ensure the success of the Nadran ceremony.
This tradition not only preserves cultural heritage but also strengthens community bonds. Through teamwork and shared responsibility, the people of Mertasinga demonstrate their commitment to keeping the Nadran tradition alive.
Nadran Mertasinga Procession
The fishing community of Mertasinga Village has upheld the traditional Nadran ceremony for generations, holding it once a year. People continue this tradition because it carries religious values and local wisdom that must be preserved. Preparing for Nadran requires a long process before the ceremony, with the fishermen organizing the event.
Nadran Obligatory Offerings:
- Buffalo head decorated with various kinds of beauty tools.
- Tumpeng6 Jeneng, tumpeng ugup-ugup sida lancing, tumpeng poleng.
- Chicken bekakak (grilled chicken).
- Tampa (container) containing market snacks.
- Light green coconut dugan.
- Swipe petek (salted fish)
- Rujak wuni (parts of the buffalo’s body taken in small amounts).
The Ritual Of Kidung Budug Basu
The ritual of the Budug Basuh ruwat is one of the conditions that must be met before the buffalo head and offerings are banned into the open sea. The story of Budug Basuh is inseparable from the context and means, namely the Nadran ceremony and puppet performances. Ruwat means cleansing, throwing away bad luck, to get blessings in the form of salvation, health, peace, peace of mind, and happiness of the soul. In practice, the play Budug Basuh does not entirely show the story based on what is presented in the ancient.
Ritual Offering Of Kidung Budug Basu:
- Sesajen Gedangan 2 Ikat.
- Black sugarcane and coconut, four pieces each, along with yellow bamboo banyan twigs and leaves.
- Batik pumpkin perforated and covered with brown sugar.
- A jug filled with water (a type of small jug made of clay.
- 3 meters white cloth to wrap the budug basu puppet. 6. Garden and bawl flowers (meaning various types sold in the market, such as roses, jasmine, and Cempaka).
- Incense
A day before the Nadran ceremony, the community gathers for tahlilan to pray for their ancestors (tawasulan). After the prayers, they wash the buffalo in preparation for the sacrifice.
Following the prayers, the community organizes a sadaqah or charity event by distributing the buffalo meat to the underprivileged and those in need.
The designated butcher places the buffalo’s head on the kapalan or Jelon and sets it adrift in the open sea, completing the final step of the Nadran tradition.
After going through a long procession, the buffalo head and other offerings were put into holes or miniature small boats, and one of the TPI administrators sounded the adhan and iqamah to release the buffalo head and other offerings to cancer or open sea.
https://cirebonprofileandtourism.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=3532&action=edit
