Baritan: A Sea Gratitude Tradition of Pemalang People that is Now an Indonesian Intangible Cultural Heritage

 

        On the north coast of Central Java, precisely in Asemdoyong Village, Pemalang Regency, there is a unique tradition that has been going on for generations for tens or even hundreds of years. This tradition is known as Baritan, a meaningful sea alms ritual that symbolizes the gratitude of the fishing community to God Almighty for the abundance of sea products they have obtained throughout the year. As a regency whose part of the area is directly adjacent to the Java Sea, Pemalang has a coastal community that depends on the wealth of the sea. The profession of fisherman has become a strong identity in this region. For the fishing community, the sea is not just a place to make a living, but also part of their spiritual and social life. That is where the Baritan tradition was born and continues to be maintained.

The Meaning and Philosophy of Baritan

        Baritan comes from the Javanese word “barit” which means making a boundary or holding a joint prayer. In a cultural context, Baritan is defined as a joint activity to ask for protection and safety from God for crops and the sea, especially for fishermen. This ceremony is also a form of gratitude for the abundant sea catch and hopes for better sustenance in the future.

        Not only spiritual in nature, Baritan also has a very strong social value. It is a place to strengthen the relationship between residents, strengthen intergenerational bonds, and maintain a harmonious relationship between humans and nature. In the midst of modernization, this tradition still survives as a reflection of the local wisdom of the Pemalang people.

Procession of the Baritan Tradition

        The Baritan tradition is usually held every year in the month of Muharram or Suro in the Javanese calendar. The choice of time is not without reason; the month of Suro is believed to be a sacred time, full of prayers and new hopes. Baritan preparations are carried out in mutual cooperation by the village community, especially fishermen and their families. The highlight of the event is the throwing of offerings into the sea, which is the centerpiece of the entire ceremony.

        The offerings are neatly arranged in a container called ancak or jolen. Ancak is shaped like an ornate miniature ship, depicting a fishing boat as a symbol of livelihood. The offerings consist of various types of crops, traditional food, and symbols of community hope. The three main types of offerings prepared are ancak gemplo, cantrang, and garok, each of which has its own symbolic meaning. The procession begins with masrahaken sesaji (the handing over of offerings), where fishermen and community leaders board a boat to the middle of the sea - in an area known as Karang Subala Subali. It is at this point that the offerings are thrown into the sea as a form of offering and gratitude. The procession takes place solemnly, accompanied by prayers and wishes offered by all participants.

        Once completed, the event continues with manganan or eating together. Uniquely, the food used in the offerings will be distributed to residents and visitors. People believe that whoever gets food from the offerings will get blessings, abundant sustenance, and fulfillment of wishes. Not surprisingly, this session is always lively and an attraction in itself.

Designated as Indonesia's Intangible Cultural Heritage 2022

        The uniqueness and richness of values contained in the Baritan tradition finally received recognition from the central government. After going through various stages of selection and assessment, the Baritan tradition of Asemdoyong Village, Pemalang, was officially designated as an Indonesian Intangible Cultural Heritage (WBTB) in 2022. This determination was announced in the Indonesian WBTB Determination Session held by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemendikbudristek RI) on September 30, 2022 in Yogyakarta. The session was chaired by the Director of Cultural Protection, Irini Dewi Wanti, and attended by cultural heritage experts, representatives of cultural value preservation centers, as well as provincial, district and city cultural offices from all over Indonesia.

    The process of proposing Baritan as a WBTB begins at the regional level, through the Pemalang Regency Education and Culture Office, which compiles supporting documents and submits a proposal to the Ministry of Education and Culture. Furthermore, the proposal went through a series of stages: administrative verification, assessment meetings, and presentations from the proposing team in front of a team of experts. From all over Indonesia, there were more than 200 cultural proposals assessed at the hearing. The Baritan tradition is one of the proposals recommended to be designated as WBTB Indonesia. The official designation was made through a Ministerial Decree, with the certificate handover planned to take place in December in Jakarta.

Protection and Hope for the Future

        With the establishment of Baritan as an Indonesian Intangible Cultural Heritage, this tradition receives legal protection and more attention from the central government. This is a form of appreciation for cultural preservation efforts by the Pemalang community, as well as encouraging the younger generation to maintain and love their ancestral heritage. Asemdoyong Village Head, Yusuf Mujadi, expressed his gratitude and pride for this recognition. "Baritan is part of our identity as a fishing community. We hope that this tradition will continue to be preserved and become the pride of Pemalang, even Indonesia," he told the team from the Pemalang Regency Education and Culture Office.

        Not only an annual ceremony, Baritan now also has the potential as a cultural tourism that can attract local and foreign tourists. With the support of promotion and good management, Baritan can become a window to introduce Pemalang's local wisdom to the outside world.