Cultural dispatches from Sidorejo

The Wanua Brata exhibition officially closed with the revival of the Urup-urup Market, a bartering tradition in the village of Sidorejo that places mutual trust above the face value of money. Through the exchange of a diverse range of agricultural produce during the harvest season, this market is not merely an economic transaction, but a manifestation of the ethic of sufficiency and ancient social technologies that ensure food security for every household.

The Pawukon Museum presents the Wanua Brata Exhibition and Book Launch, an inclusive dialogue space that brings together the historical records of the village with the futuristic visions of children in the Sayembara Ngramal 2125. A reminder that the future is not just a prediction, but the result of the policies and collective work we plant today.

The leaves of the castor plant, also called white castor leaves, are believed by the people of Dusun Ledok and Desa Sidorejo to protect against lightning, especially for farmers. This belief originates from the story of Eyang Selayuda, a powerful figure who once caught lightning and designated the white castor leaf as a sign for his descendants. Even today, some people still believe that using this leaf during rain will protect them from lightning strikes.

Every year during Ruwah, on Friday Kliwon, the residents of Padukuhan Ledok believe a spiritual tiger passes through their village. No one knows its appearance, only its roar is heard. Bu Siti, one resident who has both heard and seen the tiger, believes it will not harm anyone and is merely visiting, as the elders say. From these experiences, the story of the “Passing Tiger” (Macan Lewat) in Padukuhan Ledok was born.