The Tradition “ratan stick fighting” in Lombok called Presean
Presean is an extreme traditional ratan stick fighting game that symbolizes the masculinity of the Sasak men in Lombok. This game involves a battle between two men wielding rattan sticks and wearing thick and tough buffalo skin armor.
The two fighters, equipped with Penjalin, engage in attacks against one another while defending against their opponent’s strikes using Ende.
In the local Lombok language, the fighters are called Pepadu, and they are selected brave and gentle men who wear only a ‘Sarung’ and a headband. The game is overseen by a referee known as ‘Pakembar.’
The Presean culture has been recognized for generations within the Lombok Sasak society. It originally formed part of a traditional ceremony celebrating the victories of soldiers in the Lombok Kingdom following a war, as well as a ritual aimed at invoking rain during times of drought.
Performance
The game performance with Lombok traditional music called “Beleganjur” and a commentator giving spirit to the fighters. Uniquely from Presean fight, the participants or Pepadu had never been specially prepared.
Duel two pepadu held in five rounds, the winner is determined by the results obtained value or one of pepadu leaky head, referee will stop the game if the fighter get blood even they still strong enough to fight.
Pakembar (referee) even request visitors or audience to participate toying with rattan sticks and shields provided. The audience / prospective participants can propose themselves or be selected by the referee edge and fight with other visitor or those selected fighters. All consequences caused in the game is on own risk of fighter even though there is very simple emergency medical treatment.
The winner awarded with packed of cigarette, body soap and shampoo or an envelope with small amount of money. There is no big reward actually for the winner but young man who like this game to express their spirit also as a manifest of love to Lombok culture.
Fighting regulation
Regulation Presean fighting is very simple, fighter (pepadu) should not be hitting the bottom of his opponent’s stomach (thigh, leg, let alone the groin.
Highest value is obtained if fighter (pepadu) successful embezzlement until down. Interestingly, on the sidelines of the battle of the pepadu plus the referees have to dance when traditional music plays. Maybe its intention to release the tension during the game.
It such a lovely attraction, while the fighters scuffled with each other, a few seconds later they were dancing, laughing and looking for crack versus weakness, a second later hit hard rattan shields – plaques! then they dance again
The match end with greetings and hugs of friendship between the fighters. No sign of resentment and all just a game! It’s really casual.
The scenery of Presean culture a lot perform for celebration of Indonesia Independent day in Lombok, a week before and after independent day of Indonesia (August 17).