Makepung is the name of a major annual racing event that takes place around Jembrana in the Western side of Bali, featuring racing buffaloes. Hundreds of pairs of buffaloes are teamed up together with their farmer as jockeys who then would ride them like charioteers on traditional wooden ploughs which are slightly modified for the competition.
Before the race became popular in the 1930s, it tok place on wet fields to facilitate the working of agricultural land, but now it takes place on dry land. The race track is made up of 125 meters of wet rice field, with four pairs of buffalo competing in one round. The racers are locally referred to as kerbau pepadu and they compete in various open race circuits in assorted hearts. These series of competitions are held around the district of Melaya. They lead up to the regency-level and provincial finals, known as the jembrana Regent’s cup and the Governor’s Cup, respectively.
Nowadays, Makepung participants are not limited to farmers only. The employees and businessman are welcomed to participate or merely being spectators. In big races, such as the Governor’s Cup, the amount of participants could extend up to 300 pairs of bull and even more. The atmosphere of the race gets to be more livelier with the jegog player (a Balinese instrument made from bamboo) doing what they can do best.
There are approximately seven different circuits spread out in various locations througout the district. The Sanghyang Cerik circuit in the village of Tuwed. Melaya district is one of the main circuits, The circuit in the village of Tuwed, melaya district is one of the main circuits. The other dedicated fields-turned-circuits include Delod Berawah, Kaliakah, Pangkung Dalem, Merta Sari, Tuwed, and Awen.
On race days, international visitors will also be equally amused by the ‘buffalo fashion shows’ that features beautifully and carefully dressed up with ornaments from hoof to horn, in another segment of the ‘best-dressed’ competitions. The race usually start in the early mornings, with dozens of pairs of pepadu participating. Another hundred or so takes part in the ‘fashion’ parade. Races can last up to 5 hours, with the buffaloes often into 3 racing divisions.
So, how to win the race? the first duo that has started has to surpass their rivals with more than 10 meters, then they’d make the winner. But if the chasers are fast enough to reduce the gap to less than 10 meters, or even overtake their rivals until reaching the finish line, they would claim victory.
On the even of the finals, there would be a gathering among the racing team called sekaa makepung led by the Jembrana regent. The evening is often as festive as the major racing day that follow, being filled with art performances and public entertainment.
The regencies that holds this annual occasion is in Negara and Kaliasem village, Lovina. This tradition is inspired by Karapan Sapi (in Bali known as sapi gerumbungan) from Madura, when the settlers brought it ti bith Kaliasem and Negara.
During the Indonesian Independence Day on 17th of August, is the perfect time to see the most elavorate races. As in Negara, a driver guides teams of buffalo, which are decked out in colorful regalia, sporting a large bell. Sometimes tourists gets a chance to driver and this is a great experience for you vacation.