Celebrating Diversity in Jamblang

KOMPAS/ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

A barongsai (lion dance) dancer performs on 27 June 2019 during the formal declaration of Jamblang’s Old Town area as a tourist destination at the Dharma Rharma Temple in Jamblang village of Jamblang district in Cirebon regency, West Java. The area has a vibrant Chinatown and heritage sites that date back hundreds of years, and is known for its Sitiwinangun pottery and nasi Jamblang dish, all of which are a testament to the village’s cultural diversity and tolerance.

For 20 years Abdul Rauf Karim, a 61-year-old Muslim man, has helped with the funerals of Chinatown residents and contributed to maintaining diversity in Jamblang, Cirebon regency, West Java.

That afternoon, Rauf, who was born in Makassar, South Sulawesi, was setting up a meeting room for a funeral service near the Dharma Rhakita vihara (also called Jamblang vihara) in Jamblang village. Chairs and tables were arranged neatly, along with prepackaged cups of mineral water.