Gili Ketapang is an Island on the north sea of Probolinggo. It is still pristin, and the scenery is very beautiful. Sand is clean and unpolluted. When the wave is friendly, you can swim and see nice coral.
This island is 5 miles from Ujung Tembaga Port, and it takes 30 minutes by boat. This island is 68 hectares and inhabited by 7680 inhabitants (in 2000), most of inhabitants are Madurese and 90 percent is fishermen.
Interesting place to visit on the island is Goa Kucing (Cat Cave), this cave is regarded as sacred. This was the historical site of Syech Ishaq, whom propagated Islam from Gresik to Banyuwangi. In that period there were thousands of cats and also cat with arab alphabets written on its head. When he left the island the cats disappeared mysteriously. But the peculiar thing is that every Jum’at legi (Friday in Javanese calendar), the miaw of the cat can be heard in the cave, and if we try to find out the sound disappears. Local people meditate there to get blessed, especially on Jumat Legi.
Gili Ketapang derives from local belief that this island ha ssupernatural power. This island was once merged with KEtapang village, but when Mt Semeru erupten, there was an earth quake that part of the village of Ketapang was separated and floated over the sea. Gili Ketapang derives from Madurese, Gili means float and Ketapang is the village name.

Taru Martani was founded in 1918 when a cigar make from the netherlands started a private company in Yogyakarta named NV Negresco. During the Jaoanese occupations in 1942, the company was taken over by Japanese authorities and renames Jawa Tobacco Kojo. When the Japanese lost power in Indonesia, the Indonesian government took over NV Negresco and His Royal Highness Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX, Sultan of Yogyakarta, changed the name to Taru Martani (the leaf of life). In 1949, however, VN Negresco again took control of the company but did not see profit until 1951 because it did not have the ability to produce cigars. In 1952 the Yogyakarta Special Province Government, in cooperation with the State Industrial Bank of Jakarta, reactivated the company under the name of PT Taru Martani (Taru Martani Co, Ltd). The first director was prof. Kertanegara who was assisted by Mr Habraken, a cigar expert fron the Netherlands. In 1960 the Indonesian government took over the comoany. However in 1966 the Yogyakarta Special province Government received authority to manage the company as a state owned enterprise. In 1972 the Yogyakarta Special province Government initiated partnership with Douwe Egberts Tabaksmaatchappij BV, a Netherlands-based company, and created a joint-venture company named PT Taru Martani Baru but did not see any profit for the next fourteen years. The company reverted to full state ownership after Douwe Egberts Tabaksmaatchappij BV pulled out of the partnership.

This temple is located in the middle of tea plantation, on slope of Mt Wilis, Tulungagung This site is punden berundak (terraces shrine). On the first terrace (bottom) there is an altar arranged from andesit blocks of 5m x 2.5 m x 1.5 m. On the altar there was an inscription made of andesit bloskk from 820 Saka. And there are two male statues as ganesha statues, two female statues and a rock ball.

On the second terrace there is a fence of andesit blocks leads to entrance located in the middle of the 3rd terrace, the highest one. There are 3 buildings here, the first one is located in the middle of the terrace, right in front of entrance, a rectangle andesit blocks and red brickthe size is  9,70 m x 4,90 m x 1,10 m. This building shape is like turtle made of andesit block and top of the turtle there is an inscription from date back 1382 Saka and a female statue 1116 Saka. On the lefr of the main terrace there is a square building.

The perwara building is made of red brick and not intact anymore only the panels on the lower part can still be seen delineates fabel about 2 elephant reliefs plowing sawah.

There were 5 kings led Sumenep and now led by a regent, until today 14 regents have led Sumenep.

Arya Wiraraja Period
Arya Wiraja was inaugurated as the first Sumenep Adipati in 31 October 1269, the anniversary of Sumenep regency. When led by Wiraraja, there were developments in the regency. He came from Nangka village in East Java, he was competent leader. He was an expert in strategy and his has sharp analysis and people think he was a dukun. Wiraraja built Majapahit Kingdom with Raden Wijaya and destroyed Tatar troop in Java. When he was 35 years old , his carrier was very good. He became Demang in SIngosari and then promoted by Kertanegara (king of Singosari) as Adipati of Sumenep. and then promoted by Raden WIjaya as Rakryan Menteri in Majapahit and settled in Lumajang. After Wiraraja left Sumenep, the region declined. His authority was given to Arya bangah and the palace was moved to Batuputih to Banasare in Sumenep as well. After that then replaced again by Arya Danurwendo, and the palace was moved to Tanjung village. Next leader was Arya Asparati, and Panembahan Djoharsari. The next successor is panembahan Mandaraja who had two sons pangeran Bukabu which replaced his father and moved the palace to Bukabu (Ambunten district) and later replaced by his brother Pangeran Baragung and palace was moved to Baragung (Guluk guluk district).

Pangeran Jokotole (Pangeran Secodiningrat III)
He was the 13th king of Sumenep for 45 years  (1415-1460). He and his brother, Jokowedi were born from raden Ayu Potre Koneng, the great grand daughter of pangeran Bukabu from spiritual marriage (by dream) with Adipati Adipoday (12 th king of Sumenep). As people did not belief in spiritual marriage, her parents were angry and was about to be punish with dead sentence. Since her pregnancy, there were various peculiar things happened. After the birth, the baby was put in forest by servants of Potre Koneng. The baby was found by Empu Kelleng and was milked by his bull.

Jokotole’s birth was also happened to his brother;s birth, Jokowedi. Jokotole had supernatural power since he was kid, like he could make various households items without any equipments and the results were better than his foster father. With the power he helped smith workers including when his foster father should make a huge gate for Brawijaya VII. It said that he burned himself and then became flame and from his belly button secreted a white liquid which was used to weld the gate. He was rewarded with gold and coins as heavy as his body. Finally he served Majapahit for several years.

When he served Majapahit, he was taken as Majapahit patih’s daughter’s husband. When he arrived in Sumenep he was with his wife Dewi Ratnadi and met his mother Potre Koneng and then iinaugurated as Sumenep King as Pangeran Secodiningrat III. In his period he involved in war against Bali king, Dampo Awang, and finally won by Jokotole, as Jokotole could take the power of Dampo Awang. He was replaced his oldest son,  by Arya Wigananda in 1460.

Raden Ayu Tirtonegoro and Bindara Saod
Raden Ayu Tirtonegoro was the only woman led Sumenep, as 30th leader. According to tale, RA Tirtonegoro dreamt that queen should marry to Bindara Saod. And he became the queen’s husband and entitled as Tumengggung Tirtonegoro. There was a tragical event during her reign, Raden Purwonegoro, the patih of Sumenep loved Queen Tirtonegoro, that he hated Bindara Saod even he planned to kill him. Raden Purwonegoro came to palace and then did swing his sword but he could not get his targetm and his sword was stuck on pillar, he was then killed by Manteri Sawunggaling and Kyai Sanggatarona. Quirtonegoro and Purwonegoro were the descendants of Tumenggung Yudonegoro, 23rd king of Sumenep. Because of this Sumenep royal family was split into two groups, the queen’s side could stay in Sumenep and changed their titles into Kyai and promised to abide Bindara Saod until his 7th descendants. Other group was allowed to leave Sumenep and returned to Pamekasan, Sampang or Bangkalan.

Panembahan Somala
Bandara Saod and his first wife in Batu Ampar has 2 children. When both came to palace as invited by the queen, the second son, Somala bowed first to the queen and the first son bowed first to his father ,Bindara Saod. And then issued testament that later if Bindara Saod died the one who had right to be king was Somala. 8 days after BIndara Saod died, the queen died in 1762 and as written on the testament, Somala became king of Sumenep with title Panembahan Notokusumo I.

There were important events during Somala’s period, such as assaulting Blambangan and could won over Blambangana and Panarukan. He then built Sumenep palace, currently functions as Pendopo. He built Masjid Jami in 1763 and Asta Tinggi (royal cemetery).

Sultan Abdurrachman Pakunataningrat
Sultan Abdurrachman Pakunataningrat original name was Notonegoro, son of Panembahan Notosumo I. He was given title as doctor of literature from Bristist govt as he helped Raffless to translate old writtings into malay language. He knew Sanskrit and Kawi , he has good knowledge as well, beside is he is keen to make keris. He was known as wise and caring king.

Sapi Sono is a traditional event feature trained  pair of bulls to show beautiful moves. It was famous in the past buy today Karapan Sapi or Bull Race is more popular. Sapi Sono has unique characteristic. Bulls used in this contest are is female bulls as they are more familiar with farmers. They can plow sawah and their emotions can be explored.

Sapi sono features the soft emotion that winning or losing are not that significant. The lost one accept sincerely without envy. Therefore Sapi Sono is considered as symbol of manners. Animals of bulls can be tought to use their emotions, their heart. Bulls can follow rules, abide and dont pass over line, to lift legs together with their pairs, to dance and shake their body accompanied by Saronen. This show is very interesting, and rare, as a harmonious emotion connection between human and animal.

After harvest time, farmers need entertainment to kill time. So they used bulls as entertainment beside also enhance the quality of the livestock. As karapan sapi, Sapi Sono is done after harvest time.To get pair of sapi sono it takes perseverance, diligence and patience of the trainer. The owner of bulls usually treat the bulls like young kids. Sometimes owner’s treatment makes wife jealous.

The special treatment given to the female bulls since they are 1 month old. Sapi Sono cadet should have good and refine fur, beautiful horns, and nice posture. Everynight the bulls are kept from mosquitos, and before they sleep they are rubbed, massaged on their backs. Those were done to strengthen emotional connection with the bulls, to make them more sensitive and easier to follow the train. Their diets are special, they eat grass, rice and casava/ And to get good fur, owner gives them special herb made of cucurma, coconut water and coconut sugar. When they are 2 months old, they are trained. Firstly their legs are tied to stakes on a stage. On the drill the bulls are trained to lift legs alternately or together with the pair. They are also introduced to music played on tape recorder.

The training the proceeded to ground, the pair were guarded to encircle the ground accompanied by Saronen music. This training is undertaken for a year. When the bulls one or two years old they are already well trained, sensitive to music. When Saronen music is played they will dance.

Bulls have different talent as sapi sono, if they are genetically talented it takes relatively short time to make them mastering sapi sono move. The best sapi sono are from Waru, Pamekasan.

Sapi Sono contest is divided into two categories. The first category is contest and the second is match. In contest the score emphasized on the beauty of bulls, the move when they walk and accessories of the bulls.  The contest is held to entertain audience and also to cheer the bulls’s owners, as in the contest they praise bulls beauty. The contest usually paraded the bulls accompanied by gamelan with sinden (singer). And in the contest all participants are rewarded.

And the match one is held to find a champion. The terms and conditions for the match are unwritten. The participants are categorized according their sizes. Pool A is for bulls with height 120 and more, Pool B for bulls with size 111 to 119 cm and Pool C for 111 and below.

The score depends on mistakes of the bulls during the match. The rating consideration includes: If the bulls step on line with one feet the score is mines 5 and if two feet on the line is minus 10. After passing finish line, if pagonong is awry the score is minus 10. Entering the finish line, bulls should step together, if their feet are not lifted first, score is minus 10 of they lift minus 5. There are 7 judges consists of 3 on the start line, 3 on the finish line and 1 timing judge.

3 Start judges bring red-blue-yello flag, they score emphasized on the bulls feet. They note every mistakes from start to finish line. AT finish line other 3 judges note the mistakes and how the bulls passing finish line. Timing judge note the time when bulls are on stage.

Just like Karapan Sapi, Sapi Sono firstly held in qualification, who wins and who loses. Winners will be contested with winners and and the lost ones with other lost bulls. There will be 6 winners. From winner catergory there will be 3 winners Champion, Runner Up and Second Runenr Up. Same with winner of the lost group.

Before the match, the bulls are paraded. Owners prepare the bulls by showering the bulls and then tight with pagonong as pair. Above the pagonong there are 2 or  pancong decoraed with miniature of bird or horse and then worn necklace (gungseng) which creates clink sound. Then textile or sabek is worn over the bulls , this sabrek is decorated with golgen yarn. The horns are decoraed with some kind of cover made of white copper.

Candi Jabung is remain of Majapahit Empire located in Jabung village, Probolinggo. It is only 5 km from Kraksaan and 500 meters nearby Jabung Tirta on the road side of Surabaya-Situbondo.

The site consists of main building which is now only foundation left and one smaller building called as Candi Sudut. The red brick of the temple has high quality carved with relief. The building structure could last hundred of years. Candi Jabung is 13.13 m x 9.60 m x 16.20 m on land covering 35 m x 40 m. The restoration was undertaken in 1983-1987, and the land was added more spacious 20,042 sqm and located on 8 m asl.

The temple faces west, on the west side there is a projecting part, former stairs to enter the temple. On the southwest of the yard there is Candi Menara Sudut assumed to be located on teh corner of the fence, its function was as the complement of the main building.This temple is made of red brick 2.55 m X 6 m.

Architecture of Jabung temple is very interesting, has component of foundation, feet, bosy and roof. The temple body is round like octagon cylinder on square 3 level base. It has dagoda or stupa roof only the top is collapse and the roof is decorated with tendrils. In the temple room there is a pedestal, according to inscription on the temple entrance, it was built in 1276 Saka or 1354, in the glorious day of Majapahit.

According to Negarakertagama anf pararaton, Candi Jabung is called as Bajrajinaparamitapura. In Negarakertagama , Jabung temple was visited by Hayam Wuruk in 1359 and in Pararaton, Sajabung was the grave temple of Bhra Gundul one of king’s relative.

Relif on the railing depicts relief panels about daily life ;

1. an ascetic wearing cloth in front of his student.
2. two men are nearby a well and one of them holding bucket.
3. among panels there are round projecting panels as medallion but the relief inside the medallion is damaged.
4. lions standing face to face

The temple foot is divided into two parts :
a. First terrace of temple foot
The base is docorated with padina leaves, and there are panels made of redbrick with medallion motive. It is also decorated with carving of human, animals and plants.
b. Second terrace of temple foot
This level is decorated with padma leave, kala and leaves motive.

· Temple Body
There is a relief of human, house and trees and there is also a relief of beautiful woman riding a fish, this relief can be found in Hindu epic of Sri Tanjung, releasing soul. Sri Tanjung is also depicted in Candi Penataran, Candi Surowono and Bajang Ratu. The temple room is 2.6 m x 2.58 m and height 5.52 m and on the top there is a engraved roof. On the entrance frame there is number depicted 1276 Saka or 1354 as evidence of the construction process.

Temple Roof
The roof has gone and from the remains assumed that the peak is stupa and decorated with tendril. This temple was visited by Hayam Wuruk on his inspection. The restoration was done Hayam Wuruk in 1353 and for 500 years the temple was forgotten. This temple similar to Muara Takus temple in Riau and Biaro Bahal in Padang Sidempuan. It was renovated in 1883 by government.

Sri Tanjung story depicted on the temple’s wall tells about a malign to Sri Tanjung, a goddess, wife of Raden Sidapaksa, and it was ended by the death of Sri Tanjung. As Sri Tanjung was innocent then she is revived by gods and lived in her residence before she gets married. Raden Sidapaksa was ordered by Btari Durga to go to Sri Tanjung residence, and meet Sri Tanjung. Sri Tanjung did not want to make up with him except if Raden Sidapaksa could kill and bring the hair of the malign as foot mattras of hers. Her will was granted and both live happily.

Probably the number depicted on 1276 Saka or 135 was not the year when the temple was constructed as in Negarakertagama and pararaton, the number refers to year when Hayam Wuruk visited the temple and also when the restoration was undertaken.

The Madurese were originally the inhabitants of the Indonesian Island of Madura, located to on East Java and the archipelago of Kangean and Sapudi. However today most of Madurese live all over Indonesia, the result of the Dutch colonial regime and the Indonesian govt’s transmigrasi schemes which have moved hundreds of thousands of people from Java, Bali and Madura to less populated islands. The schemes have opened up significant economic opportunities for those who moved but have often angered the indigenous populations who have felt the influx of so many people with languages and cultures that differ significantly from their own.
Due to geographic proximity of Madura Ialand to Java Island, Madurese history has been linked to Javanese for centuries. The early years of common era in Madura constitute a period when Hinduism and the Buddhism were dominant religious and political doctrines, as was the case in Java. In the 14th century the Majapahit kingdom, Java’s last major Hindu kingdom, also ruled over Madura and disintegrated only with the arrival of Islam in the next centuries. In the 16th century Madurese set up their own state structure using political ideas of Islam, but this state was overrun by the islamic state of Mataram, another Javanese kingdom, in 1624. The Madurese reached their freedom temporarily in 1672 but lost again in 1680 when mataram turned to Dutch East Indies Company for assistance in dominating the region. The DUtch held the island as part of their colonial empire until 1942, when the Japanese occupied it as part of their pacific strategy during WW II. Many Madurese participated in the war of independence waged by Indonesians in 1945 against DUtch, who tried to retake their colony in the end of the war. Noe Madurese is one of the most dominant ethnic groups in Indonesia after the Javanese who dominate in most political and economic spheres.
Although politically the Madurese have been connected to the Javanese for many centuries, economically they have differed significantly due ti differences in island geigraphy. Madura is much dried than Java and allows for only single rice harvest per year, while on Java two or even three harvests are possible in some regions. Prior to their immigration to other islands, many Madurese adapted to these dry conditions by focusing their economic activity on cattle, sheep and to a lesser extent, goats. Much of the resulting meat, milk, and other products was then sold in Java in exchange for grain or other food products. The relatively small size of Madura in the conjunction with its large population also meant that many families had to rely on trade, fishing and handicrafts instead of farm or pastoral work, working as domestics for wealthy families was also common for Madurese women.
The many hundreds of thousands of Madurese who have moved away from their homeland and taken up residence in Kalimantan region and other islands in Indonesia have largely brought with them their tradition of wage labor, petty trade, a bit of farming and herding where possible. Moving to the lower rungs of the economy in their new homes was often put them at odds with local tribal populations who themselves are subordinate to the Javanese, Balinese and Chinese in their economic enterprises. The situation in Kalimantan has been the most dire for the new Madurese populations, gangs of Dayaks have murdered hundreds, destroyed property and looted Madurese neighborhoods in an attempt to drive out their economic rivals.
Madurese culture today reflects the mix of HInduism, Islam and BUddhism resembles that of Java. Most of Madurese, in Madura or elsewhere, consider themselves as devout moslems, usually Sunnis of the Shafi school, considered a more conservative branch of Sunni Islam than is the norm in Indonesia. Most individuals pray 5 times a day, pay their required tithe, fast in ramadhan and celebrate important islam holidays. It is a great honor to make pilgrimage to Mecca, the hajj. Yet Islam as it is practiced among the Madurese is not of a purely orthodox variety. Shamans and sorcerers still work among the Madurese, and local and familial spirits are believed to be active in most communities. Both male and female children inherit property of their parents equally in contradiction to some interpretations in Islamic law. Madurese are practitioners of male and female circumcision, or genital mutilation as it is sometimes called by its critics. This practice is believed by many to be linked to their conversion to the religion in the 15th or 16th century.
Madurese society begins with the creation of kin groupings through the principle of bilateral descent, in other words, children are considered to belong equally to the kin groups of their mother and their father. Both nuclear and extended families are common as the group with which individuals identify most. Beyond the family or household, villages are made up of 10-15 households, often people who are unrelated through blood or marriage but are connected through ownership of a small plot of land. Postmarital residence is ideally neolocal, which means that most couples try to set up their own households as soon as possible, but often matrilocal residence, or libing with the bride’s parents for few years, is necessary to be able to afford to build or purchase a new home for the couple. While men are technically allowed to have multiple wives due to Islamic law, very few are financially able to do so outside of village headmen or other leaders. In the past the Madurese nobility could all afford to take on polygynous families, but with the disappearance of this class of people, the practice has largely died out.
THrough out Indonesia, the Madurese are known for the practice of Carok, or blood revenge, to avengene instances of adultry, theft, especially of cattle, or public shame or loss of face. Carok requires sneaking up on the perpetrator and stabbing him or her with a sickle-shaped knofe, usually to the point of death, Instance of carok usually result in extended feuds between families or even villages, which can last for generations. To put an end to the blood revenge, individuals can turn to a moslem specialist called a kyai who tried to settle the matter secular and supernatural levels.

Indrayati beach is located in Sundak, Tepus, Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. It has marvelous white sandy beach and very beautiful. The beach is clean, as the management fines whoever trash on the area.
The beach management provide several jetsky for visitors. Other activities can be undertaken here are sunbathing, safe-swim. On the western side of the beach entrance there is a beautiful huge rock and beyond the rock nestles wide white sandy beach.

You can enjoy local culinary along the beach with various cold drinks. If visitors arewilling to stay overnight, you can rest on lodge located on the beach.

Papuma (Pantai Pasir Putih Malikan) is located in Jember, East Java, Indonesia. There is no public transportation from Jember to Papuma, so better access it by your won vehicle whether motorbike or coach. Before entering Papuma you will be welcomed by Jember villages and also trees. Papuma is less than an hour drive from Jember.

To visit Papuma is recommended in the morning. That is when you can enjoy the sunrise from its horizon and when fishermen return from fishing on Hindian Ocean. One boat has around 10 crews, and ladies from vicinity waiting for fish at the beach to be purchased. The boats in papuma bay are very colorful, creating nice shot for your photograph or even if you just want to enjoy the scenery.

Papuma has white sandy beach, only the wave is sometimes too big and strong that swimming there is not allowed. Fishing is another activity you can do here, beside you can undertake activities on the beach such as outbound activities. Or if you like fish menu, you can find fresh grill fish along food stalls on the beach.

On the far south you can hike to Sitihinggil Hill, offering nice view of Papuma Bay, its exotic rocks and Hindian Ocean. Not far from the beach you can enjoy rapling and snorkeling. To fish, snorkel, visitors can rent boat from local fishermen.

Papuma Bay Exclusive Photos

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Nusa Barong Island is located in Jember, East Java, Indonesia. This Island is on the south of Java Island. The Island is 6100 Ha, accessible from Papuma Bay and Puger Beach with 2 hours duration. The Island is green and the fringe is rocky, and it has few beaches with white sand. There is a beach where local fishermen ashore on the island, it is like small bay, swim-able, only sharp rocks everywhere.

On the way from Papuma Bay to Nusa Barong, nice big rocks hit by swells creating amazing views. You will also meet small boats, and white sea birds flying nearby Nusa Barong. From distance this island looks like a huge rocky island. The island is not inhabited, only by various flora and fauna.

The underwater is nice, that one can do snorkel here on the shallow water. It has various coral reefs. And if you swim, do not swim  to far to the ocean, as it is located on the HIndian Ocean with big swells and strong stream.

The island has 46 species of flora such as Klampok hutan (Eugenia sp), Bogem (brugeura sp), Kalak (Mitrophora javanica), Laban (Vitex pubesecens), Endog-endogan (Xanthophyiium excelsum),  , Salakan (Palmae sp). The island is the home for various animals such as grey monkeys  (Macaca fascicularis), pig (Sus scropa) dan squirrel (Scewius notakas) and various or birds.

Nusa Barong Exclusive Photos

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