Robo-robo is a traditional ceremony from Mempawah, West Borneo. The word robo-robo itself means Wednesday, which mean that robo-robo is held on the last week of Syafar, the Islamic month. Robo-robo is held by Mempawah society as a memorial for the journey of Opu Daeng Manambon, also know as Pangeran Mas Surya Negara from Matan kingdom to Mempawah kingdom on Syafar. Robo-robo is also held to avoid the disaster which may come in Syafar. Robo-robo has become annual ceremony that has is own history for Mempawah society.
The meaning of robo-robo tradition is a welcome of Opu Daeng Manambon. Robo-robo was believed as united message from all ethnic and religion in West Kalimantan. That message was legacy, left by Opu Daeng Manambon when he establish Mempawah society.
One of social values exist in robo-robo is wonderful of togetherness, to give a direction to all elements of society a harmony. In this section, raised some understanding of contents of the discussion from robo-robo tradition that can be used to explore the relationship between cultural values and social values.
The beginning of this story was when Opu Daeng Manambon and his wife, Putri Kesumba came to Mempawah kingdom from Matan kingdom, Ketapang in 1148 Hijriah or 1737 to receive the authority from Panembahan Putri Cermin to Putri Kesumba. When they arrived in Mempawah, they were welcomed nicely by Mempawah society who have waited at the bank of the river. The coming of Opu Daeng Manambon and his wife prayed together to god to be avoided from disaster before they ate the food.
The next year, Mempawah society held the same ceremony or they called robo-robo on last week of Syafar on Wednesday, outside of their house with they families. The people started robo-robo after they prayed zuhur. Then before robo-robo was started, the people echoed adzan and prayed to god to be avoided and protected from the disaster. Next, they did the ritual to keep the disaster away by throwing the offering stuff for spirit to Mempawah river. Finally, they ate all the food that they had made and serve together.
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