Makepung that in the Indonesian language means romp, is a tradition in the form of a buffalo race which has long been attached to the people of Bali, especially in Jembrana regency. This tradition was originally just a game of the peasants who carried on the sidelines of plowing activities at the harvest season. At that time, they quickly clashing with the spur which is attached to a water buffalo cart and controlled by a jockey.
The longer, that fraudulent activity was originally developed and many have become increasingly attractive. Now, Makepung has become one of the most interesting cultural attractions and many watched by tourists including foreign tourists. Not only that, but even this buffalo race has become an annual agenda of tourism in Bali and professionally managed.
Today, Makepung not only followed by the farmers. The employees and employers of the city there are many who become participants and supporters. Moreover, in a big fight, Governors Cup, for example, participants who attended Makepung could reach about 300 pairs of water buffalo, or even more. The atmosphere was very festive with the presence of the musicians Jegog (Balinese gamelan, made of bamboo) to enliven the race atmosphere.
When I started contested in the 1970s, rules and completeness in Makepung participate experiencing some changes. For example, a buffalo that had only now become a pair. Then, cikar or wagon to a large former jockey, now replaced with smaller ones. Buffalo Makepung participants, is now also more 'fashionable' with the various kinds of ornaments such as crown and buffalo head mounted on a green or red flags in each cikar. Meanwhile, the arena-shaped ground track Makepung form of 'U', as long as 1-2 km.
Unlike Madura bull racing or other event that is race, Makepung have a few unique rules. The winner of this race is not only determined who or couples where the Buffaloes managed to reach the finish line first, but also determined also from the distance between participants who were playing. This means that a participant would be considered a winner if he had been at the forefront when it reaches the finish and be able to keep his distance with the participants at the rear, as far as 10 m.
However, if the spouse who is behind the water buffalo could narrow the distance between participants in front of him, to less than 10 m, then the pair of water buffalo in the back that's what will come out as winners. The race finished in a matter of eight to ten minutes in each race.
Makepung fans and participants in Jembrana is divided into two groups known as the West Block and East Block. Distribution of this block based on the flow of Ijo Gading River which divides the capital city of Jembrana. The two blocks in a race official will meet every two weeks. And, each block has its own circuits are often used as the location of practice or formal competition.
Unique things that make Makepung become an exciting and interesting spectacle, is an expression of a jockey who is above cikar and was giving spirit by shouting at the two buffalo yells their respective regions. The jockeys whip the buffalo with a stick during a race on the track width of 2 meters is to be able to achieve maximum speed. Some jockeys also use special sticks where there are small spikes that stick on the stick. So, it's no surprise when buffalo are used bleeding after following this race.
To compound he called Makepung, in every race there is almost always a jockey who failed to control the buffalo. This often happens when there are participants who will overtake the other participants. And, when the buffalo out of control, he will exit the track and finally fell into the plot of a wetland or reversed. The audience was cheering
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