Jakarta, (Antara) - Located in the eastern part of the Indonesian province of East Java, Jember District has a great tourism potential with many spectacular waterfalls.
Geographically, Jember borders the Indonesian ocean in the south with beautiful views along the beach, and in the northern and eastern part of the district there are mountain ranges where many spectacular waterfalls are found.
Jember has at least 12 waterfalls that are in need of optimal management, ranging from road access to other supporting facilities to make the district a popular tourist destination in East Java.
They are Slerok fall in Ledokombo village, Seputih fall in Mayang village, Tujuh Bidadari fall (Seven-angel fall) in Sumberjambe village, Kali Klepuh fall in Panti village, Maelang fall in Wuluhan village, Tancak Tulis fall and Antrokan fall in Tanggul village, Watu Ondo fall in Tempurejo village, Tancak fall Panti village, Mandigu fall in Mumbulsari village, and Damarwulan and Anjasmoro falls in Sumbersalak village.
Known as Mini Nigara fall, both Damarwulan and Anjasmoro falls in Sumbersalak village are one of the new natural tourist destinations in Jember.
Sumbersalak Village Head Abdul Haki has expressed hope that the Damarwulan and Anjasmoro falls can become an icon, and attract more domestic and foreign tourists to the village.
Besides having many waterfalls in almost every village, Jember is also home to many amazing nature parks, such as Mount Bromo, the Meru Betiri National Park and Kawah Ijen with the largest acid lake on Earth, the Baluran National Park, and many more.
Jember has also many archaeological sites, including the Klanceng and Duplang sites in the Arjasa sub-district, the Suko site in the Jelbuk sub-district, Srono and Mojo in the Sukowono sub-district, and Deres temple in the Gumukmas sub-district.
The historical sites in the district of Jember are of high value but, according to the Mojokerto Trowulan Ancient Heritage Conservation Service, they are prone to theft.
Some of the archaeological artifacts found in the Jember district have been smuggled and sold in foreign countries, such as Japan, Australia, the United States, and the Netherlands.
Jember has around 400 archeological artifacts of various kinds, among others statues, kenong stones (type of a Javanese musical instrument made of bronze resembling a gong), large upright standing stones (menhir), sarcophagus, dolmen, and several weapons belonging to the Majapahit kingdom, but many of them have been allegedly stolen and sold to antique collectors in foreign countries.
Therefore, the local authorities are expected to improve surveillance of the remaining archaeological artifacts and convince the local community about the importance of protecting the antiques.
In a bid to boost domestic and foreign tourist arrivals, the Jember district government continues to organize numerous festivals every year.
The festivals are organized to increase the domestic and foreign tourists arrivals, and to preserve the unique and traditional culture and arts of the district.
Preservation and promotion of Jember's culture and tradition are made through the art festival, fashion carnival, traditional game, city carnival, and traditional long march.
The local Culture and Tourism Office Chief Sandi Suwardi Hasan had remarked that more festivals were held last year to preserve the local culture and arts, and to boost tourist arrivals.
According to him, there are many festivals, and the Jember fashion carnival is the famous event that has been recorded as the longest catwalk in the world.
Once famous for its coffee and tobacco plantations, Jember is now known for its glamorous and glitzy annual parade, known as the Jember Fashion Carnival.
Attracting hundreds of thousands of spectators each year, Jember has now developed into a neat and complete city, and has become a popular holiday destination for foreign and domestic tourists alike.
"The Jember Fashion Carnival exhibits elaborate creations by local fashion designers, combining traditional Indonesian styles with the latest international trends," Hasan said.
Hundreds of participants spend the entire year in preparation for this extravaganza of color, costumes and creativity.
The parade usually runs through the Jember city center, along a 3.6 kilometer catwalk, the longest in the world.
The Jember Fashion Carnival has now been recognized as the fourth largest carnival in the world, and definitely the biggest party in Indonesia.
In the meantime, Jember Culture and Tourism Office spokesman Sirajudin noted that the Pendalungan Festival is frequently held to promote the cultural identity of Jember district.
"This festival aims to introduce the Pendalungan culture to the general public, including the tourists visiting Jember city and district," Sirajudin remarked.
According to the spokesman, the event usually showcases the culture of Jember as the district, known as one of the major tobacco producing areas in Indonesia that does not have an indigenous cultural identity.
Most of the population in Jember District comprises of Javanese, Madurese, Osing Banyuwangi, and a small community of Chinese and Arabic citizens.
The blend of Javanese, Madurese, and Osing communities in Jember has finally given birth to a new culture, known today as Pendalungan.
"Pendalungan is a blend of three major cultural influences in Jember-Java, Madura, and Osing Banyuwangi-but there is also the presence of Arabic and Chinese cultures," he pointed out.
Sirajudin noted that the festival showcases the diverse cultures of the different ethnic groups in the district.
School students are also involved in the festival in an effort to introduce them to the Pendalungan culture since an early age.
The Pendalungan festival will also feature Can-Macana Kaduk, Campursari, Jaranan, and Reog art performances that have survived in the district of Jember until this day.
With the Pendalungan festival, the public, including foreign tourists, will be able to gain a greater understanding of the Pendalungan culture in Jember.
Though not yet as prominent on the tourist map as Bali or Jogjakarta, Jember's historical richness, vast plantations, natural wonders and fashion culture are quickly putting it on the list of a must-visit place in Indonesia.(*)
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Jawa Timur 2017
Geographically, Jember borders the Indonesian ocean in the south with beautiful views along the beach, and in the northern and eastern part of the district there are mountain ranges where many spectacular waterfalls are found.
Jember has at least 12 waterfalls that are in need of optimal management, ranging from road access to other supporting facilities to make the district a popular tourist destination in East Java.
They are Slerok fall in Ledokombo village, Seputih fall in Mayang village, Tujuh Bidadari fall (Seven-angel fall) in Sumberjambe village, Kali Klepuh fall in Panti village, Maelang fall in Wuluhan village, Tancak Tulis fall and Antrokan fall in Tanggul village, Watu Ondo fall in Tempurejo village, Tancak fall Panti village, Mandigu fall in Mumbulsari village, and Damarwulan and Anjasmoro falls in Sumbersalak village.
Known as Mini Nigara fall, both Damarwulan and Anjasmoro falls in Sumbersalak village are one of the new natural tourist destinations in Jember.
Sumbersalak Village Head Abdul Haki has expressed hope that the Damarwulan and Anjasmoro falls can become an icon, and attract more domestic and foreign tourists to the village.
Besides having many waterfalls in almost every village, Jember is also home to many amazing nature parks, such as Mount Bromo, the Meru Betiri National Park and Kawah Ijen with the largest acid lake on Earth, the Baluran National Park, and many more.
Jember has also many archaeological sites, including the Klanceng and Duplang sites in the Arjasa sub-district, the Suko site in the Jelbuk sub-district, Srono and Mojo in the Sukowono sub-district, and Deres temple in the Gumukmas sub-district.
The historical sites in the district of Jember are of high value but, according to the Mojokerto Trowulan Ancient Heritage Conservation Service, they are prone to theft.
Some of the archaeological artifacts found in the Jember district have been smuggled and sold in foreign countries, such as Japan, Australia, the United States, and the Netherlands.
Jember has around 400 archeological artifacts of various kinds, among others statues, kenong stones (type of a Javanese musical instrument made of bronze resembling a gong), large upright standing stones (menhir), sarcophagus, dolmen, and several weapons belonging to the Majapahit kingdom, but many of them have been allegedly stolen and sold to antique collectors in foreign countries.
Therefore, the local authorities are expected to improve surveillance of the remaining archaeological artifacts and convince the local community about the importance of protecting the antiques.
In a bid to boost domestic and foreign tourist arrivals, the Jember district government continues to organize numerous festivals every year.
The festivals are organized to increase the domestic and foreign tourists arrivals, and to preserve the unique and traditional culture and arts of the district.
Preservation and promotion of Jember's culture and tradition are made through the art festival, fashion carnival, traditional game, city carnival, and traditional long march.
The local Culture and Tourism Office Chief Sandi Suwardi Hasan had remarked that more festivals were held last year to preserve the local culture and arts, and to boost tourist arrivals.
According to him, there are many festivals, and the Jember fashion carnival is the famous event that has been recorded as the longest catwalk in the world.
Once famous for its coffee and tobacco plantations, Jember is now known for its glamorous and glitzy annual parade, known as the Jember Fashion Carnival.
Attracting hundreds of thousands of spectators each year, Jember has now developed into a neat and complete city, and has become a popular holiday destination for foreign and domestic tourists alike.
"The Jember Fashion Carnival exhibits elaborate creations by local fashion designers, combining traditional Indonesian styles with the latest international trends," Hasan said.
Hundreds of participants spend the entire year in preparation for this extravaganza of color, costumes and creativity.
The parade usually runs through the Jember city center, along a 3.6 kilometer catwalk, the longest in the world.
The Jember Fashion Carnival has now been recognized as the fourth largest carnival in the world, and definitely the biggest party in Indonesia.
In the meantime, Jember Culture and Tourism Office spokesman Sirajudin noted that the Pendalungan Festival is frequently held to promote the cultural identity of Jember district.
"This festival aims to introduce the Pendalungan culture to the general public, including the tourists visiting Jember city and district," Sirajudin remarked.
According to the spokesman, the event usually showcases the culture of Jember as the district, known as one of the major tobacco producing areas in Indonesia that does not have an indigenous cultural identity.
Most of the population in Jember District comprises of Javanese, Madurese, Osing Banyuwangi, and a small community of Chinese and Arabic citizens.
The blend of Javanese, Madurese, and Osing communities in Jember has finally given birth to a new culture, known today as Pendalungan.
"Pendalungan is a blend of three major cultural influences in Jember-Java, Madura, and Osing Banyuwangi-but there is also the presence of Arabic and Chinese cultures," he pointed out.
Sirajudin noted that the festival showcases the diverse cultures of the different ethnic groups in the district.
School students are also involved in the festival in an effort to introduce them to the Pendalungan culture since an early age.
The Pendalungan festival will also feature Can-Macana Kaduk, Campursari, Jaranan, and Reog art performances that have survived in the district of Jember until this day.
With the Pendalungan festival, the public, including foreign tourists, will be able to gain a greater understanding of the Pendalungan culture in Jember.
Though not yet as prominent on the tourist map as Bali or Jogjakarta, Jember's historical richness, vast plantations, natural wonders and fashion culture are quickly putting it on the list of a must-visit place in Indonesia.(*)
Editor : Chandra Hamdani Noer
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Jawa Timur 2017