Leuweunggajah Village: Behind the Religious Tradition, There is an amazing Cultural Heritage

Leuweunggajah Village is a place of extraordinary charm in the Ciledug District, Cirebon Regency. The village has a religious tradition, specifically Islam. However, these traditions hide a rich and unique cultural heritage. The town demonstrates the harmony between faith and local culture through arts, traditional rituals, and annual festivals. Leuweunggajah is a village that upholds religious values. Religious activities such as regular recitation, commemoration of Islamic holidays, and Islamic boarding schools are part of the residents daily lives. Nevertheless, traditions and cultural arts continue to live and develop, creating harmony between religion and ancestral heritage. For this reason, Leuweunggajah is an interesting place to visit and learn more about.

Kramat Leuweunggajah well has a significant history and is more than just a water source. People say that around the 16th century, Ki Jaya spread poison through the wealth ring, causing a disease epidemic that haunted residents. However, the presence of clairvoyant cleric Habib Toha brought significant changes. “With his charisma, Habib Toha cleansed the well of evil powers, improving the community’s welfare. Since then, locals believe the well holds blessings and visit it for various purposes. To this day, it remains a respected site with significant spiritual and historical value for the people of Leuweunggajah.”

In addition to the Kramay well, another religious tourist is the Tomb of Habib Toha. Habib Toha was a great cleric who played an essential role in spreading Islam in this area and a cleric who made a significant change in Leuweunggajah Village. People often visit Habib Toha’s grave as a place for pilgrimage. Many people visit this place to pray and remember his services in teaching religious knowledge. People often visit Habib Toha’s grave as a place for pilgrimage. The tomb is always full of pilgrims yearly, especially during Haul events. Usually, a grand recitation and a joint prayer commemorate Habib Toha’s struggle.

In addition, Leuweunggajah village has a living cultural and artistic heritage. Some unique arts, such as Jaipong Dance, Pencak Silat, and Tarling (guitar and ute), are still developing. The most lively arts and cultural event is the Cai Diraga Festival. This festival was held annually after the flash floods that struck the Ciledug Sub-district in 2018 and has become one of the most memorable cultural events in Leuweunggajah Village. “Cai Diraga” literally means water in the body, the jug, or water of life. The festival shows how water, once a source of disaster, now connects communities through cultural and artistic celebrations. The festival serves as a means of recreation and a symbol of the community’s strength and revival after experiencing a diffcult time caused by the disaster.

Arts, culture, customs, and local wisdom are still integral to the Leuweunggajah Village community, such as “hajat bumi,” a form of respect for God and the universe. This event is usually filled with joint prayers and delicious local village food, making it even more special.