Unveiling Jemparingan

By Edgar Freire (Ecuador)

 Jemparingan is a Javanese word used to name the art of archery in Jawa. What is peculiar of this form of archery is that must be done in a cross-legged sitting position (silo) and the use of traditional Yogyakarta clothing such as blangkon/udeng, surjan, and jarik for men and kebaya for women. Anyone could learn and join this activity practiced in various sasana (jemparingan courts) all through Jogjakarta or even Central Jawa, yet everyone who takes part in this practice must be willing to sit down together, follow the rules and enjoy a communal experience letting go of all sign of competition and egos. To practice this archery is only needed a bow or gendewo and the arrows or anak panah. The arrows are shot towards a 30m-far-slim-target which is called bandhulan or wong-wongan. The large part of the target is white and is equal to 1 point, while the head of the target is red and it is equal to 3 points. 

I have joined this activity 6 months ago from now, and I am still learning the technique. It could take years to acquire a good technique. However, not only technique is needed to become a good practicioner, but also you have to study the philosophy of this art: when you shoot an arrow you have to use "manah", your heart, you have to do it with rasa (feeling) and connect your heart and mind to the target.

More about this philosophical part will be explained on a future post. Curious about Jemparingan now? Want to join and learn it?



Images source: Jemparingan Langenastro







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