THE PHILOSOPHY OF BAMBOO

THE PHILOSOPHY OF BAMBOO

03 November 2021 is a historic day for the Molo family. Under the sun, Bu'e's parents accompanied by uncles and traditional elders from Bomari village took Molo home to his parents' house. Molo's wife (Bu'e) is pregnant. However, Bu'e and his family determined to repatriate Molo even though it was only with a short customary affair which was quite embarrassing. Wisa Nata Rogho. Its because when Bu'e's husband and living together in Bu'e's family. Molo never showed responsibility as a husband. Traditional marriages are carried out in a hurry because bu'e is pregnant due to an illicit relationship during a mass wedding party in a neighboring village. Both the Bue and Molo families resignedly while holding back the shame of taking care of formalizing their children to become a young couple. This is normal even though it is not mature enough to be husband and wife. Although out there, there are many rumors circulating that always blame parents who are not able to educate their children properly. Gossip like this has become an open secret.

(Bu'e is wearing a negligee, crying. Her left hand is holding her stomach and her right hand is holding Molo's hand. The two of them walk hand in hand with Bue's parents, uncles and chieftains. Molo's face looks tough even though his eyes are crying. They arrived at Molo's yard. )

"Good morning Mr. Domi... Greet the traditional elders politely.

(The door opened and an old man named Domi came out)

"Ale good morning le...ai...why are there so many people...let's go in first" said Domi, inviting him to enter.

 Domi saves a question when he catches the faces of Bue and Molo.

"Bu'e....ana in-law why are you crying ...?

"Molo...what about Bu'e?

Domi asks a lot of questions...

(all sitting on mats made of lontar)

(chiefstains start the conversation)

"Look, ema, we and Bue and his family want to take Molo home, because according to Bue's family, Molo doesn't deserve to live and live with them"

(Molo just stares at the corner of the room. This time he sits far away from Bue and his family. Only his eyebrows move up and down, his lips tightly pressed together.)

"What does this mean, I don't really understand... this item must be known to Molo's uncle, it can't be just me," said Domi.

"Okay then, we are waiting for now, and Molo is now going to call you have uncle tanta" said Uncle Bu'e in a quite loud tone.

(Molo swiftly stands up and walks away)

(A few moments later, uncle and auntie  Molo came while eating betel nut, followed by Molo at the back and immediately took a position beside Domi)

"Well, thank you, in front of ema Domi and the entire Molo family, so we're sorry we didn't agree before we wanted to come. So straight to the point. "That we are all aware and willing, based on the results of mutual consultation, we all agreed to come and take Molo home here and never come to our house again," said Uncle Bue.

The atmosphere is heating up.

"let's talk - okay first .." said Domi.

"Oops...sorry ..please don't embarrass me, first clear the root of the problem so we can accept it.

“oke” asked Molo.

(The atmosphere is still heating up, arguing with each other without anyone hearing each other)

(chiefstain speak)

"Please calm down ...you are asking for my help, and now please listen to me first, please"

The atmosphere is calm again.

“This is how ema Domi and family are. So far I have heard many complaints from Bue and his family about Molo's behavior. Every day he aalways plays   PUPG game, immediately approved by Molo ...(with a flat expression), some people smile and quiet) he always hits Bue when he comes home, no job,drunk, gambling continuously, new lifestyle like a boss. he don't know how to find wood or cooking food," said the chiefstain.

“What can we expect? Eating your love...if you don't know to work, what can we rely on you?  You come this house to relieve each other not to bring bad lucky, uncle said with the louder voice. 

"But we agreed  when they married, let's try to give them time to improve themselves," said  Molos uncle.

'Molo, how do you respond? 

Molo answered quietly and carelessly "I'm everywhere"....

"We also heard the confession from Bu'e," said the traditional elder.

"Ine please talk...."

Bue tells everything and insists on breaking up with Molo even though his cries imply that his love for Molo will never fade.

Both parties agreed to separate with a sign of giving betel from Molo's side to Bu'e's side. Customary affairs are carried out if they are very urgent and do not end well or equally hurt the feelings of both parties / unwanted separation.

 Molo’s auntie took the betel nut from the betel then handed it to Molo's uncle who was sitting right next to him.

"If this is what you want, our family, offer the deepest apologies. We give this betel as a sign that the relationship between the two sides of Molo and Bue is over," said Molo's uncle.

Betel is accept by the chiefstain  of Bue's side and ended with a handshake. This is a sign that the relationship between Bue and Molo is over and between  of both famillies, both Molo and Bue can find a replacement husband or wife.

When Bue and the family rushed to say goodbye, Domi stood up swiftly and headed for the kitchen. He took a machete and ran to the bamboo forest.

Several youths followed him in fear while worrying that Domi was going to kill himself. Apparently with a machete, Domi cut bamboo and then chopped it into Naja with anger. Domi sat limply knowing several youths were silently staring at him. Some of the young men slowly moved closer to him.

"Ema... we know you feel..." said one man.

"You don't know how difficult of this life...." if today's way of life is like ours, surely everything will be safe and if all of you know about this bamboo and its philosophy, surely everything will be fine, said Domi.

“Nata Rogho's tour indirectly demeans men's dignity. This is very embarrassing,” said Domi again, looking down.

Domi looked up, looking sharply ahead. “Back then…… long before our district was formed and everything… we were taught the philosophy of bamboo. If everyone continues to plant, care for and preserve bamboo, of course, there are many things that will be learned.”

(Domi reminisces to his youth)

Since a thousand years ago, the Ngadha ethnic which consists of the Bajawa, Jerebuu, Golewa and Aimere regions have lived with the bamboo philosophy which is rich in life values.

Su'a, Tuku, Ope, Tubo, Ga'a, Zezo and Sobhi.

Becoming a tough young man/man should be able to carry out the parents' mandate about the Bamboo Philosophy so that they can synergize with nature.

Su'a is a farming tool (bamboo blades) used to clear land for planting various necessities of life, at that time, they did not know more modern farming facilities.

Tuku is a place to store food ingredients (round bamboo with various sizes) that can had for quite a long time.

Ope is a place to store water and palm wine. (round bamboo of various sizes)

Tubo is the pillar of the house (bamboo)

Ga'a is a food container for livestock (Bamboo)

Sobhi is a comb / hair straightener made of bamboo.

Zezo is a container used to separate good and bad food results.

A young man said to be able and be ready to marry a girl must be able to understand the philosophy of bamboo, namely, strong, patient and wise and able to manage bamboo.

At that time, the life of the Ngada ethnic community was very intertwined and could not be separated from the bamboo plant.

The sun risen from the eastern horizon, Domi rushed to the garden after feeding the chickens. Previously, he had made an agreement with Lamber to start clearing the land in rotation.

Domi headed for Lamber's house which was not far from his house.

Domi : Labe...let's go...

Lamber : lets go...

The two of them brought su'a and walked hand in hand through Zuly's yard. That morning, Zuly was weaving lawo.

As usual, greet each other. But Domi's feelings are a little different.

Domi spoke to himself.

Domi : ouch ... hello the beautiful woman ( with smile)

Lamber startled Domi.

Lamber : Robe...what are you talking about...

Domi blushed.

Domi : even though, it's not necessarily that people have children with me...

Lambers; Unus... you must fight first..

The two arrived at the garden. Continuing pull the grass.

The next day also the two of them repeated the same work through Zuly's house and found Zuly weaving. Domi's expression to Zuly is also still the same.

On the way to the garden, Domi and Lamber talk a lot about life. The two stopped under a shady tree because the heat of the sun burned the skin.

Lamber : Domi....why do we always work to plant...plant and plant lots of trees...

Domi : Labe....we have been taught by our ancestors to always plant. Because He planted the Tree, He planted hope. Beautiful hope for the future.

Lamber: what is hope...

Domi : hope is the power to be happy even though we are in a very sad state.

Lamber : oh....so hope is like you want to get Zuly then?

Domi : yes...its  absolutely right Lamber... I really hope someday.....

The two of them continued their journey to the garden for pull the grass and so on.

In the afternoon, as usual of the people in the village, after leaving the garden, they must continue their activities at the springs. Take a bath, wash and bring water home for cooking dinner.

Domi and his friends headed to the river to take a bath and fetch water. At that time, Bela (round bamboo) was used as a container to store water.

Several other people also seemed busy with their daily activities, bathing the horse, fetching water, washing clothes and bathing. After doing the activity, they came home with water using Bela. All equipment is still very traditional.

Day after day, various plants thrive and some are ready to be harvested.

On a different day, Zuly and some of his friends mashed corn (the process of grinding corn into smaller rice manually) while Domi and his parents came home with taro and wood from the garden.

Domi saw Zuly in the distance while sipping coffee. Domi and Zuly's houses are quite close, only flanked by two other houses so that all activities can still be monitored. The feeling of love is increasing.

Lamber came over to Domi.

And tehy discussions about agricultural products, and about how to process coffee from post-harvest to serving in glasses.

Domi : Lamber, would you like some coffee?

Lamber: if it's made, I'll definitely drink it...

Domi calls his sister Mia for coffee. A few minutes later, Mia came out with a cup of coffee.

Lamber took a cup of coffee and took a sip.

Lamber : wala.... The coffee is delicious, is it Bajawa coffee?

Domi : yes....... you admit that is delicious.

Lamber : wala, but why does i have a different taste...

Domi: That's the difference in the processing from picking, drying, frying and brewing...

Lamber: is it? Please  explain it  robe.. seriously I want to learn about the coffee process...

Domi : Unus, please dont take a joke.

Lamber : im serious, please !!

Domi: Well, friends, we have Bajawa coffee. The taste is indeed the most different, because of the natural conditions in the highlands, then it grows in the shade of trees, using organic fertilizers and without pesticides, this has been done since our ancestors. Now for post-harvest processing or coffee, after picking the red fruit, first peeled the skin and immediately fermented/stored in an airtight place after 24 hours, just washed and dried in the sun. Now, drying should not be directly on the ground and away from other odors, then peel the skin off and fry. Well, when it's fried, it shouldn't burn or the coffee will be black. After that it is ground or ground and immediately brewed.

Lamber: oh I see, what's been wrong all this time, coffee doesn't use fermentation first, then just hangs in the sun to dry and fry until it's very black or charred, that's why it feels like it's charred....

Domi : Well, that's a friend... it's our job together to take care of our coffee quality, e...

Lamber :  ...well thank you very much .....

Lamber then, raised the glass and continued the rest of the coffee, pointing to the glass, Lamber asked a question.

Lamber : Robe, if this is a bamboo cup who made it... it's very good... (while observing the bamboo cup  in more detail)

Domi : Handmade by amekae...

Lamber: even though...   it's amazing,.... we have this from our  ancestor. In addition to giving us coffee plants, they also give us bamboo plants to live... I'm confused if bamboo doesn't grow here e...

Domi : That's right.... Let's count the items that we use every day from bamboo.

Lamber and Domi took turns making lists of bamboo items using their fingers.

Lamber: (holding thumb) bamboo cup to drink water, spoon, comb...

Domi : Lenga for the roof, tubo for poles, naja for walls and floors, all the building materials for our house are all bamboo

Lamber: Bela for storing water, ope for storing moke, tuku for storing rice, beans and sui wu'u..

Domi : The Su'a we use to clean the grass in the garden...

Lamber : though.... we should be thankful to Bamboo because without them, we might not live comfortably ....

Domi : I think we have to preserve bamboo so that our children and grandchildren can also protect it... don't let it go extinct because we know that bamboo has many philosophies...

Lamber : I agree ... These bamboos don't grow alone, but using clumps, they live together. I think this teaches us to stay united and take care of each other ....because we are unity na...we are brothers.

Domi: .... let us have two days of useful discussion .....

The two laughed out loud, inviting the attention of Zuly and his friends who were mashing corn.

Zuly looked shyly then focused back on his work.

The next day, Domi, Lamber and some of their friends went to bata ne like to do the barter process because the necessities of life were running low. Usually from cold areas bring corn, beans that are stored in the defense while from hot areas bring wine, coconut, fish and sweet potatoes or livestock to be exchanged. At that time, there was no exchange rate, people only knew barter.

On the way to bata ne suka, Domi starts to talk to lamber and some of his friends about his feelings for Zuly.

While resting, Domi started a conversation.

Domi : hey friends, I don't know why every time I see Zuly, my heart beats faster...(smiling)

Lamber : ha.....youre in love friend 

Some other friends: yes... looks like you like him........so that's it....

Domi looked at his friends with a happy smile and in his head there was only Zuly's face.

Domi : ...maybe this is the answer of hope ....

Lamber : Domi.....you know... Falling in love is the most warmest things  in this world...(with a mocking smile)

Domi smiled shyly.

Lamber : but is it true that the feeling comes from here? (while mocking face)

Domi : right....(floating)

Lamber: Domi.... Love has no form, but it can only be felt by the heart. Love doesn't need a reason because in reality love exists without common sense, it persists even though you know that the one you love can't possibly be yours. ( Lamber like poetry)

Everyone clapped in agreement.

Lamber : Domi... we can arrange that  friend...

Some other friends :  we already ..we are ready help you..

Lamber : ok, don't worry, we'll do it later...(while whispering with some other friends).

Domi and his friends continued their journey to the bartering place. And after bartering they returned with the goods that had been exchanged.

Bartering is usually done once a week at the same place every Saturday morning.

On the following Saturday morning, more and more people went to barter. Zuly also took part by bringing corn to be exchanged for an earthen pot.

Everyone flocked to the barter. Without realizing it, some of Zuly's friends are walking slower and Domi is accelerating his steps to be able to walk with Zuly. Apparently this is the the plan of Lamber and his friends so that Domi and Zuly can meet. Because only moments like this men and women can meet and chat longer. The rest is not allowed.

Domi : Zuly... to be honest the first time I saw you I felt different. I like you...

Zuly : ( Embarrassed ) .... Domi don't be like that...

Domi : Seriously... can I come to your house tomorrow to hang out?

Zuly: yes...you can (while stroking his hair)

The bartering process was finished, they returned home.

**

That morning, Domi went to Zuly's house carrying a bundle of firewood as a souvenir. Stored behind the house. However, because the sound of the wood was loud enough to attract the attention of Zuly's father, Teus.

Teus: who's outside..

Domi : I'm Domi ...

Teus :  Domi...let's go in for the coffee...

Domi: (his fists clenched into the sky, saying), “Yes!! (Then to sit with Zuly's family and drink coffee).

The next day again, Domi brought a bunch of taro, he kept it behind the house, every day he do that the form of vegetables, firewood and so on as a symbol of "kaju dhu maru, ranga dhu sia" a sign that a man wants to continue his relationship with a woman who take it to a more serious level. Everything ended with drinking coffee with Teus, his father, Zuly.

One afternoon, after helping Teus with the pigsty, Domi sat down to talk about his relationship with Zuly.

Teus : Domi.... I can see that you have been working quite diligently and show that you are really serious about our daughter, Zuly. Then, tomorrow, tell your parents and also your uncle, and  talk about the right time to meet and talk about the relationship   (It turns out that Zuly heard their conversation from behind the cage and then walked up to the two of them).

Zuly: thank you very much ... (while looking at Domi and smiling)

Domi : Thank you very much .

Both of them were happy because it was approved.

Domi and Zuly are officially husband and wife.

Day by day, the Teus family grew, Zuly and domi had 3 children. To the garden with his wife and children using horses, returning home carrying wood, taro and vegetables.

****

A few years later, one time, the whole family of the bride invited everyone to gather together in the custom house ( sao)    and also handed over to Zuly and Domi in the form of Su'a, land and several clumps of bamboo for independent living.

Teus: "Please manage this inheritance  for your life provision.  Both of you can  use this su'a to clean the grass in 4 plots of land, please work diligently to plant trees and other plants for the provision of your life and grandchildren. The 18 clumps of bamboo near Wolobobo Mountain are yours, please cut it and build a house for you and your children and grandchildren. Don't forget to save and may you be blessed.”

Domi and Zuly live independently and accept each other.

Domi: “If all were like us before, of course humans are very harmonious with nature and of course the bamboo philosophy has always been the basis of life in this village. Because being a man must be able to learn to be like bamboo. Strong. Nurturing, patient and wise. Because a real man must carry out the mandate of a knight, namely God to be respected, King to be obeyed and  to protect a woman.

Two youths: That's right, sir, we feel that now this young generation is all mentally instant. No one is planting trees anymore, many are polluting the environment by littering, and many are even starting to leave the world of agriculture.

Domi : That's right child....When the environment changes, there must be related changes in life.

Two young men: please tell us how, sir....

Domi : When we heal the earth, we heal ourselves. What you take from the earth, you must give back by replanting. that's nature's way. Today you cut the bamboo, you also have to replant it here or somewhere else...

Two youths: (nods understanding) thank you very much sir.... its going late lets back  home . everyone  must be looking for you. 

They came home carrying Naja, bamboo home... walking hand in hand in the bamboo forest....

*****

Mertin Lusi