Pukul Manyapu, Unique Tradition from Central Maluku

Helloindonesia.id – Swept or Raw Manyapu Punch is a unique tradition to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. This tradition was held by the people of Mamala Village and Morela Village, Leihitu District, Central Maluku, every 7 Shawwal in the Hijri calendar.

The tradition of the Manyapu Pukul has been around since the 17th century. A Maluku Muslim religious leader named Imam Tuni created this attraction as a celebration of the success of the mosque construction in Mamala country.

The origin of this tradition is also associated with the history of the struggle of Kapitan Telukabessy and his troops in the Kapahaha War against the Dutch VOC from 1636 to 1646.

Kapahaha is a natural fortress in the form of a steep rocky hill in the Morela State forest. Kapahaha became the last fortress that fell into the hands of the Dutch on Ambon Island. The war ended when the Dutch succeeded in defeating Kapitan Telukabessy forces and taking control of the fort.

Fighters caught in the raid were taken prisoner in Sawatelu Bay. Kapitan Telukabessy managed to escape, but he was given the choice of surrendering or the prisoners were killed. On August 19, 1946, Telukabessy surrendered. He was sentenced to hang in Fort Victoria Ambon on September 13, 1946.
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After the death of Telukabessy, captives of Kapahaha were released by the Dutch on October 27, 1646 which coincided with the month of Ramadan. Several figures were arrested in Makassar and Batavia. The rest, go back to the area of ​​origin.

At this farewell, a sweep occurred spontaneously as an expression of sadness. Pain on the body because the broom sticks symbolize the hardness of the struggle accompanied by the sacrifice of body and soul.

The hardness of the grasp and the strength of the punch symbolizes the determination to continue to reject all forms of colonialism and cooperation with the Dutch. After striking a broomstick, they hugged each other while vowing to remember each other and meet again every 7th of Shawwal.

Although it smells of violence, the true tradition of Pukul Manyapu is a symbol of brotherhood. This attraction serves as a means to strengthen community fraternity in Mamala Village and Morela Village.

Pukul Manyapu is played by young people. They were divided into two groups with different costumes. Each group numbered 20 people. The participants are also required to use headbands as ear protectors to avoid being hit by sticks. The part of the body that can be hit is from the chest to the stomach.

Each participant stood face to face with participants from other groups in the middle of the arena the size of a foot soccer field. Each person holds a stick from the palm to disabetkan. The stick is replaced if it’s broken or broken.
The attraction will begin with a signal from the sound of a flute or whistle. After that, the participants will hit each other alternately. The former sticks of sticks will be clearly visible on their bodies.

After the attraction is finished, the wounds will be treated with the sap of the castor tree. There were also those who were treated with rubbing oil from matehu (Mamala oil) which was effective in treating broken bones and bruises.

Despite getting painful punches, there was no revenge among the participants. This attraction actually strengthened the brotherhood between young people from two different villages.

The uniqueness of this tradition attracts many foreign and local tourists to visit. To make the atmosphere more lively, the attraction of Pukul Manyapu is also enlivened with tambourine games, cultural carnivals, and local dance art performances.