The Jakarta Post, November 04, 2006
Maluku villages whip up traditional post-Idul Fitri fun
M. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon
[PHOTO: MUST-SEE EVENT: The highlight of the seventh Syawal celebration is
"pukul manyapu", a tradition in which youths from neighboring villages whip each
other with brooms made from the ribs of coconut leaves. JP/Azis Tunny]
Residents of Mamala and Morela villages in Leihitu, Central Maluku, celebrated the
end of Idul Fitri by holding various traditional activities Thursday.
The highlight was the pukul manyapu ritual, annually performed on the eve of the
seventh day after Idul Fitri (Syawal in the Islamic calender).
Pukul manyapu is a ritual in which youths from the two villages whip each other with
brooms made from split coconut leaves.
The youths, who were divided into two groups, lashed the bodies of their opponents
with the brooms. The ritual was held simultaneously in front of the mosques in
Mamala and Morela.
The purpose of the spectacle between the two Muslim-dominated villages is to
commemorate the Kapahaha fighters who fought against Dutch colonial troops in
Maluku in the 17th century.
The medicinal treatment used to heal the injuries sustained in the ritual differs
between the two villages. In Morela, treatment involves using sap from the jatropha
plant, while in Mamala, a concoction of traditional ointment called minyak mamala is
used. The ointment is made from a mixture of coconut, clove and nutmeg oil.
The healing process with both methods is very fast and leaves no scars.
According to village folklore, the Mamala oil was initially used to repair a mosque's
broken wooden beam in the 17th century.
After the Kapahaha war in 1646, the Dutch colonial administration issued an order for
people living in the mountains to descend and build settlements along the coast.
Residents, who had already embraced Islam, subsequently moved to coastal areas
and built villages.
One day when residents were constructing a mosque, one of its wooden beams
broke. Traditional leaders, Imam Tuni (the head of the mosque), Mamala traditional
ruler Latulehu and head mason Patikiambessy, discussed the matter and requested
Imam Tuni pray, asking for guidance to resolve the problem.
One night while sleeping, Imam Tuni was approached in his dream by an old man who
told him not to worry. The old man advised him to smear coconut oil, which had been
blessed through the recital of Koranic verses, on the broken beam and then wrap it
with a white cloth.
The following night, he followed the instructions from the old man in his vision, and
when he unwrapped the beam the next day, it had been miraculously repaired.
After they found the broken beam had been miraculously restored, the Mamala oil
was then tested on humans by lashing a man's body until he was cut all over.
The torn skin from the whippings was later smeared with the oil and the wounds were
healed without leaving a scar.
The special coconut oil later became known as Tasala or Mamala oil. Iman Tuni's
descendants are still producing the ointment, which they say is effective for bruises
and fractures.
A Morela resident, Jufri Sialana, said the pukul manyapu performance had become a
must-see event for both locals and overseas visitors.
An English tourist, Thomas Williams, 73, told The Jakarta Post that he was pleased
to be able to visit Mamala and Morela to watch the traditional performances.
"What I've seen so far has been really amazing," he said after watching the spectacle.
A variety of other cultural attractions, such as a boat race, traditional carnival and
dances were also held.
Although the celebrations in Mamala and Morela have strong religious connotations,
the atmosphere was noticeably cordial between visitors of different faiths, as
demonstrated by the arrival of residents from nearby Christian-dominated villages.
At least 350 Tiouw residents from the largely Christian island of Saparua arrived in
Mamala a day before the celebration, while hundreds of Waai residents stayed
overnight in villagers' homes in Morela.
A Tiouw resident, Faya Patawala, 26, told the Post,
"I was very moved by the peaceful atmosphere due to the family ties between our
village and Mamala. We are free to visit, even stay in any resident's house, and have
been treated well,"
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