Barongsai Shows Preserve Lampung’s Diversity

The harmonious relationship between ethnic Chinese and people of Lampung had lasted for a long time. Imlek celebration serves as the inspiration to strengthen the sense of fraternity and tolerance in the country.

KOMPAS/VINA OKTAVIA

Young people from the Dharma Bhakti Berdikari Barongsai Group practicing the lion dance, Tuesday (17/1/2023).

The COVID-19 pandemic has made the celebration of Imlek (Chinese New Year) in Lampung seem quiet over the last three years. Now, the barongsai (lion dance) will again cheer up the Imlek festivity in the Chinatown of Bandar Lampung city. The Chinese community’s traditional art is a portrait of diversity in Lampung.

A loud musical sound of gongs, drums and cymbals came from the second floor of the Dharma Bhakti Foundation in Pesawahan subdistrict, South Teluk Betung district, Bandar Lampung city on Tuesday evening (17/1/2023). Twelve youths, members of the Dharma Bakti Berdikari Barongsai Group, were training for their Imlek performance.

Three of them played musical instruments; another was directing dance movements. The other eight youths were barongsai (lion dance)players.

The players were adeptly swaying their bodies, following the rhythm of the music. They were dancing, jumping, squatting and displaying their ability climb up each other’s shoulders.

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Of the 12 group members, only one is of Chinese descent. The other eleven are residents from nearby areas of different ethnic and religious backgrounds.

“This year we have to train harder after three years’ absence from shows,” said M Basir, 30, an ethnic Lampung fisherman who has been learning barongsai since his teenage years.

On the day of Imlek, they usually perform in Kampung Pecinan (Chinatown) on Jl. Ikan Kakap, Pesawahan subdistrict, one of the Imlek celebration centers in Bandar Lampung. Near the location is Thay Hin Bio Shrine. The oldest place of worship for Buddhists in Lampung was built in 1896.

Not only enjoyed by Chinese people, barongsai shows are also appreciated by thousands of people of various ethnic origins and religious faiths coexisting in Lampung. Barongsai has become an attraction that portrays the diversity and harmony of the Lampung community

KOMPAS/VINA OKTAVIA

Two men prepare a lion dance head costume in Bandar Lampung, Tuesday (17/2/2023).

The young people’s willingness to preserve cultural values and diversity certainly requires some sacrifice. Basir, for instance, has sought permission not to go fishing since last month for training. Irfan Irawan, 35, an ethnic Chinese man, has chosen to temporarily close his noodle stall. Asep Saifullah, 21, of Sundanese descent, leaves his work as an online motorcycle taxi driver for a while.

Asep has learned barongsai musicsince he was 13. He became interested after seeing barongsai show in Kampung Pecinan, not far from his house, during the 2014 Imlek celebration.

After playing for the barongsai, Asep learned to beat drums from Rayen Sentana, a youth of Chinese descent who became his close friend. Sadly, Asep can no longer train with him and wish him a happy Imlek. Rayen died from an illness in 2020.

Fraternity

Chairman of the Chinese Clan Social Union (PSMTI) of Lampung, Christian Chandra, praised the spirit of young people in Lampung to preserve the barongsai traditional art. He hoped the barongsai performance and Imlek celebration this year would further strengthen the fraternity and harmony of the Lampung community.

“During Imlek, there’s also the tradition of distributing kue keranjang [sweet sticky-rice cakes], not only to families of Chinese descent. In Lampung, Imlek belongs to everybody,” he said.

The ethnic Chinese population in Lampung at present is estimated at more than 100,000. They coexist and integrate with various ethnic communities in 15 regencies/cities in Lampung. Quite a number of Chinese residents are married to those of other ethnic groups.

PSMTI-Lampung has so far also contributed to the preservation of harmony and diversity of the Lampung community through different social activities. Besides donating blood, its members are also routinely engaged in voluntary social work for the public at large. They are also involved in various art and cultural activities in the Lampung community.

“We are also learning the art of gamelan music,” said Christian.

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A lecturer of sociology at Lampung University, Pairul Syah, said the harmonious relationship between ethnic Chinese residents and people of Lampung had lasted for a long time and been maintained to date. The history of transmigration also shows that Lampung has been open to communities of diverse cultures in the country. Although in recent years Lampung was also made into a hiding place by members of terrorist networks, no terrorist action has ever occurred in Lampung.

According to Pairul, Lampung was chosen as a terrorist hideout because its location was seen as strategic and close to the capital city. Its people also tend to be open to outsiders. Terrorist networks have benefited from these facts to hide themselves.

This Imlek celebration serves as the inspiration to strengthen even more the sense of fraternity and tolerance in the country. It is just like what can be expected from barongsai shows, which is to bring luck and happiness while warding off evils.

This article was translated by Aris Prawira.