Understanding the Nyalin Tradition: A Sundanese Agricultural Ceremony from Karawang Regency
As part of the Sundanese cultural heritage, Karawang Regency is home to various traditions rooted in local wisdom, one of which is the Nyalin tradition.
The Nyalin tradition is typically practiced by the local community during the harvest season in the rice fields. This ritual prepares for the next planting cycle. The term Nyalin originates from the word Salin, which means “to replace.” During the ritual, the community cuts specific parts of the rice plants that are considered healthy and stores them in a leuit or granary for use in the next planting season.
So, what are the processes involved, and what values does this agrarian tradition convey in Karawang? Here’s an explanation.
A Farmer’s Ethical Approach to Handling Rice
One key message carried by the Nyalin tradition, also known locally as Ngala Indung Pare (collecting seed rice), is the etiquette observed by farmers when handling rice as one of God’s creations.
According to a Karawang cultural expert, the Nyalin tradition encompasses ethical practices where humans, as part of nature, must show mutual respect. This includes treating rice plants with care during the harvesting process, recognizing them as life-giving elements.
“When we harvest, we essentially take the results of our agriculture. Nyalin is a ritual of permission or etiquette toward nature, ensuring that we carefully handle the plants (rice) that sustain human life,” the expert explained, as cited by the YouTube channel Tengok Indonesia.
Requesting Permission from the Creator at Nyalin Tradition
The expert also emphasized the importance of ethical practices during planting rituals. He explained that Nyalin often aligns with another tradition called Pupuhunan (planting rice).
He further elaborated that planting rituals also require asking for divine permission to receive blessings and ease in the growth process of the rice crops.
“Similar to Nyalin, in Pupuhunan, we also seek permission from God to engage in farming and request sustenance from the rice plants,” he added.
The Execution of the Nyalin Tradition
The Nyalin ritual is usually conducted once a year, when the rice plants turn golden. Before the ceremony, farmers consult the Guguni (a local ceremonial leader) to ensure the ritual is carried out correctly.
Several items are prepared for the ritual, including:
- Offerings: Young coconuts (dawegan), incense (kemenyan), incense burners (pedupaan), cigars (lisong), traditional snacks (e.g., rengginang, opak, wajit), and offerings made of bamboo (sanggar).
- Additional items: White cloth, various leaves (hoar, kawung, kanyere), sugar palm fruits (caruluk), sugarcane plants, and traditional foods like ketupat, leupeut, and tantang angin.
Storing Rice in the Leuit or Granary
During the ritual, the Guguni dresses in all-white attire and begins by burning incense to commence the ceremony.
The ritual continues with a recitation of prayers (rajah), followed by cutting five stalks of rice with perfect grains using a traditional harvesting knife (ani-ani), all while holding their breath.
The five rice stalks are then wrapped in white cloth, braided into two patterns, and stored in the leuit or granary to prepare for the next planting season.
This ritual typically takes place
