Makepung Lampit

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A Tourist Attraction Promotion of Jembrana

Makepung Lampit or buffalo race is a unique tradition in West Bali held by the government of Jembrana on Sunday (Nov. 29). This cultural attraction of Jembrana community will be held at Subak Peh located at Peh hamlet, Kaliakah, Negara. “Tradition of Makepung Lampit has long not been held. As a form of preservation, at the end of 2015 it will be held again,” said Promotion Section Head of the District Tourism Office, Komang Hendra Susanta.

Although it is the first time for Jembrana to hold the event, it will certainly take place very lively. Registered participant has reached 19 pairs of buffaloes. They are farmers in Jembrana divided into three groups. Each participant will join the race with their reliable buffalo in terms of speed while drawing lampit (a farming tool). Nevertheless, the winner is not only judged in a matter of time, but also the fastest to reach finish. “Although the participants are booming, this buffalo race will only be held one a day starting at 07.00 a.m.,” said Hendra.
The buffalo race tradition commonly held in paddy field is rarely done on land. It happens because the lampit or farming tool used in the attraction has been getting scarcer. “This attraction is unique because the buffalo race is held in paddy field. Of course the participants will face many obstacles because all the jockeys are demanded to show off their agility and skill in directing their buffaloes. Indeed, the buffalo race jockeys are also scarce, so that this event can stimulate people to train themselves into a jockey,” he said.
The track in use is paddy field after harvest. Mud, water and others will get splashed off the track when buffaloes were passing fast. Buffalo race with the track on the land is clearly different from the makepung lampit held in muddy paddy fields. On land, they draw a gig while in paddy fields they draw a farming tool. Well, the winners will be awarded prizes in the form of trophies and cash. “The event is a means to preserve the buffalo race having been existed from the past. In addition, it also poses an effort to promote the tourist attraction and the advantages owned by Jembrana, so that travelers have alternative attraction to see in Bali,” said Hendra.www.bali-travelnews.com
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