http://www.thejakartapost.com/yesterdaydetail.asp?fileid=20061104.G02
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 Maluku villages whip up traditional post-Idul Fitri fun National News - November 04, 2006 M. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon 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," [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ======================= Milis Wanita Muslimah Membangun citra wanita muslimah dalam diri, keluarga, maupun masyarakat. 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