A Dramatic Entertainment Stage Livens Up the Mapag Sri Event in Rawa Dalem Village
Indramayu, JayaNews.Com – The atmosphere in Rawadalem Village, Balongan District, Indramayu Regency, suddenly became lively on Wednesday (April 15, 2026).
Hundreds of residents poured into the Rawadalem Village Field to watch the Sandiwara entertainment put on by the Village Government as the highlight of the Mapag Sri event.
Mapag Sri is a tradition passed down through generations in Indramayu to welcome “Dewi Sri” as a symbol of fertility and gratitude for the rice harvest. This year, the Rawadalem Village Government made it even more festive by featuring the “SINARE KOBER” Sandiwara group from Indramayu.
“Mapag Sri is a way of seeking blessings. The rice has been harvested, and the yield is good, thank God. Now it’s time to give back to the earth and entertain the residents to rekindle their enthusiasm for planting,” said the Village Head of Rawadalem, *H. Mukmin, when opening the event.
Since morning, residents from three blocks Rawadalem, Karangsong, and Sukadana—had filled the field. Mothers brought mats, children bought sweet snacks, while fathers enjoyed coffee at makeshift stalls. At precisely 10:00 a.m. WIB, the gamelan beat signaled the beginning of the drama.
The play that evening was titled Sri Sadana Katimun, a folk tale about the goddess Sri who descended to earth carrying rice seeds. The audience laughed repeatedly when the character ‘Cempreng’ appeared with her typical Dermayon jokes. “We haven’t had entertainment like this for two years since Covid. The children really enjoyed it,” said Casini (42), a resident of the Karangsong Block.
In addition to the drama, the Sri Rawadalem Mapag also included communal prayers in the rice fields, a tumpeng (rice cone) procession, and babarit, or communal eating on the embankment. All costs for the event came from the farmers’ donations and the village treasury.
The Head of the Rawadalem Village Consultative Body (BPD), Warsidi, added that public entertainment is important for maintaining harmony. “If the harvest is good but the residents don’t gather, there’s less gratitude. This drama is a way to foster camaraderie. The younger generation learns about the traditions of their elders,” he explained.
The event concluded at 11:30 PM WIB in an orderly manner. The Bhabinkamtibmas (community police officer) and Linmas (community guard) of Rawadalem Village stood guard until the end.
The Mapag Sri tradition in Rawadalem is planned to become an annual event for the cultural tourism village. “Next year, we plan to invite a larger drama, which will also promote Rawadalem rice,” concluded Kuwu Mukmin.**
(Wari)
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