Cirebon historical tourism Every Village Has Its Own Story and Uniqueness – So Does Cikalahang Village. Nestled at the foot of Mount Ciremai, Cikalahang Village holds a long history, rich cultural heritage, and extraordinary natural potential.
From its origins to its infrastructure development, from social life to tourism potential, all these aspects shape the unique identity of this village.
By understanding these aspects, we can see how this village has grown and what opportunities can still be maximized for the future.
The Origins of Cikalahang Village
Long ago, the area now known as Cikalahang Village was nothing more than a dense forest untouched by humans. One day, a woman decided to clear the land in the middle of the forest to make it a place to live. However, her efforts were hindered by large trees that were difficult to cut down. Finally, she decided to burn the forest to make it easier to clear. Unfortunately, the fire spread rapidly, reaching nearby villages such as Bobos, Dukupuntang, and Pakuncen. This event caused the boundaries of Cikalahang Village to become irregular.
Once the land was cleared of trees, more and more people settled there. Over time, the area developed into a bustling settlement. Because of the many travelers who stopped and settled there, the village was initially named Sudi Mampir, which means “a place to stop by.”
The Legend of the Oil Seller and the Name “Cikalahang”
One day, an older man who sold oil was going around the village offering his goods. However, no one bought them. He then tried selling his oil in Mandala Village, but the result was the same. Feeling hopeless, the older man returned to Sudi Mampir Village and rested under a Malaka tree. Hungry, he ate some Malaka fruit, which tasted dry and bitter. He quickly drank water from a nearby well to get rid of the taste. Strangely, the water tasted sweet in his mouth.
The older man then got the idea to sell water from the well, hoping it would be more popular than his oil. He poured out all his oil and replaced it with healthy water, and sold it to the villagers. Many people were curious and tried it, but they felt deceived because the water was tasteless, not as sweet as the older man had claimed. Upset, the villagers reported him to the village head.
During the hearing, the older man explained that his drinking water tasted sweet after eating the Malaka fruit. However, the village head and the villagers laughed after realizing the sweetness was merely an aftertaste from the Malaka fruit he had eaten earlier. This story spread widely, and the once called Sudi Mampir village became better known as Cikalahang.
The name Cikalahang comes from the Sundanese language:
Ci = Cai (Water)
Ka = From
Lahang = Malaka Tree
Thus, Cikalahang means “water from the Malaka tree,” referring to the unique event experienced by the old oil seller.
Location and Geographical Features
Cikalahang Village is located in Dukupuntang District, Cirebon Regency, at the foot of Mount Ciremai. Its location at a higher altitude makes the air in this village cooler compared to the general Cirebon area.
Geographically, Cikalahang Village borders the following areas:
North: Bobos Village
East: Dukupuntang Village
South: Kuningan Regency
West: The forested area of Mount Ciremai
The village spans approximately 344.105 hectares, with various land uses:
Residential areas: 66.013 hectares
Rice fields: 118 hectares
Cemeteries: 29.680 hectares
Office areas: 52.5 hectares
Other public infrastructure: 71.912 hectares
Due to its location along a tourist route, Cikalahang Village has relatively easy access, especially for visitors looking to enjoy grilled fish cuisine or experience the peaceful rural atmosphere.
Demographic in Cikalahang Village
With a population of approximately 6,671 people, Cikalahang Village is quite lively. Among them, 3,352 are male, while 3,319 are female. The community lives harmoniously, maintaining a strong sense of kinship daily.
The primary language spoken in this village is Sundanese (80%), as the town is directly bordered by Kuningan and Majalengka, making it culturally closer to Sundanese-speaking communities. Meanwhile, about 20% of the population speaks Javanese, especially in interactions with areas around Cirebon.
Most villagers work in freshwater fisheries, particularly tilapia and gourami farming. The growth of this sector has directly contributed to the popularity of grilled fish culinary tourism, one of the village’s main attractions. Besides fisheries, agriculture remains a significant source of livelihood, supported by vast rice fields.
Infrastructure and Public Facilities in Cikalahang Village
Cikalahang Village continues to develop with various infrastructures and facilities that support the lives of its residents. However, several challenges remain, particularly in transportation and clean water access.
The village roads have potholes in several areas, mainly due to frequent use by trucks transporting stones for artisans. This poses a challenge for residents relying on personal vehicles, as public transportation unavailable. Most people use motorcycles or private cars to travel to the nearest town or village.
In terms of electricity, Cikalahang Village is relatively advanced. Electricity is evenly distributed across the village, and internet access is available and relatively stable, which significantly benefits small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that are starting to utilize digital marketing.
However, clean water access remains an issue. To this day, residents still rely on wells and natural springs for their daily needs. The absence of a water distribution system from PDAM (Regional Drinking Water Company) means villagers must manage their water supply independently, even though natural water sources are abundant.
In terms of healthcare, the village has Posyandu (integrated health services) and Poskesdes (village health post) that regularly serve residents. Posyandu focuses on maternal and child health, while Poskesdes provides monthly routine health check-ups for older people. Residents usually visit the Dukupuntang Health Center or hospitals in downtown Cirebon Regency for more comprehensive healthcare services.
Additionally, the economic sector in Cikalahang Village continues to grow. Many SMEs are officially registered, particularly in the grilled fish culinary and freshwater fish processing industries. These SMEs provide income for residents and enhance the village’s culinary tourism appeal.
Challenges and Obstacles
Despite its potential, Cikalahang Village still faces several development challenges:
- Poor infrastructure, particularly pothole-ridden roads due to heavy truck traffic. This affects residents’ mobility and poses safety risks, especially for motorcyclists.
- Limited market reach for local SMEs, as many entrepreneurs struggle with digital marketing and business expansion.
- Water supply issues, as the village still relies on wells and natural springs, making it vulnerable to seasonal changes, especially during dry seasons when water levels drop.
- Lack of public transportation, making it difficult for residents without private vehicles to travel.
Recommendations and Solutions
To address these challenges, several steps can be taken to maximize Cikalahang Village’s potential:
- Infrastructure improvements – Prioritizing road repairs by proposing projects to the local government or collaborating with private companies through CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) programs. Additionally, developing a clean water distribution system would reduce dependency on wells.
- Economic development – Providing digital marketing training for SMEs to expand their market reach and supporting business mentoring programs and access to microloans through partnerships with banks or cooperatives.
- Environmental conservation – Implement waste management programs for fisheries and culinary businesses to prevent environmental pollution. Encouraging reforestation and water conservation initiatives to ensure a sustainable water supply.
By implementing these efforts, Cikalahang Village has excellent potential to grow into a more advanced and self-sufficient village, with an improve economy, infrastructure, and community well-being. Government, community, and private sector collaboration will ultimately be key to achieving this vision.
Author:
Fadilla Putri Hayati
