Gipsy Village, a Unique Habit after Eid al-Fitr in Wotgalih beach

Honestly, although I am a native of Lumajang city, I have never heard a gipsy village in this city. It is ridiculous right especially if I heard it from a friend of another city.  After some time wondering about what kind of village it is, finally I went to Wotgalih beach which is located in Yosowilangun, Lumajang, East Java. Gipsy village is a term for the unique tradition that is made by the people there. This habit is usually done after Eid al-Fitr by children and young people. In the ordinary days, this beach did not make much impression. However, that would instantly change when Eid al-Fitr is over and reached its peak at (what the native called) Lebaran Ketupat or the seventh day of Eid.

A bunch of people would come in droves Wotgalih beach. They set up tents and then made variety of ornaments made from typical plants of the coast that was placed around the tent. There were parts paltered with vines, made a curtain in front of the tent, and some people made the fence around their tents. Everything was based on average wild plants that live around Wotgalih beach. Uniquely, this activity has nothing to do with any contest. They purposely decorated each tent as a form of pleasure and satisfaction.  One more thing that added the excitement of the event of this impromptu camp was the existence of flag poles as if they are competing to be the highest. If you went there, do not be surprised if you see many flags like national flag, pawnshops, political parties, mobile card products, and so forth.

Wotgalih beach is considered as natural beach. While walking to the beach from the vehicle care, I passed a traditional bridge made of woven bamboo. But I have to remain vigilant since they said there are crocodiles in the river. Therefore, I must be careful not to slip or even splashed. Then, I pass through a stretch of trees. It is very stunning.

One more exciting thing if played on Wotgalih beach is burning the flower of sea grass. It is very unique which shaped like a sphere spikes with long thorns. If it burned, it can make a sound like a firecracker. If you want to play with this plant, you should look for really dry sea grass flower. Usually, the tent owner often used it to decorate their tent in order to look more beautiful. However, unfortunately, there is no prettiest and best tent contest there. If they hold it, I wonder what else the resident of gipsy village do to decorate their tent as pretty as possible. 

 

  

 Pictures : my collection and Google.com