Budget Plan: Petik Laut Sea Offering Festival

The Petik Laut festival is a profound coastal tradition centered on the gitek (a miniature boat) filled with offerings launched into the sea. This ritual serves as a plea for safety and abundance, rooted in ancestral beliefs. A central element of this tradition is the Pangrokat prayer, led by traditional elders, which is considered a sacred requirement for the festival’s validity.

In regions like Situbondo, the Pangrokat prayer represents a unique cultural blend, utilizing Javanese and Madurese languages written in Arabic script. This reflects the historical migration and religious integration within coastal communities. Because of its sacred nature, the execution of Petik Laut requires meticulous conceptualization and planning.

Integrating Tradition into Village Governance

As part of preserving coastal heritage, village governments may facilitate the financing of Petik Laut through the Village Budget (APB Desa). Modern celebrations often follow a dual format:

• Daytime Activities: The ceremonial launch of the gitek accompanied by a fleet of local fishermen’s boats.
• Nighttime Activities: A selametan or religious gathering (Pengajian) involving community members and prominent figures, blending traditional customs with Islamic practices.

Key Budget Components in the RAB

When drafting the MS Office Excel budget plan, the following specific cultural requirements should be mapped:

• Ritual Offerings & Gitek: Costs for constructing the miniature boat and procuring ritual offerings (sesembahan).
• Elder & Leader Incentives: Honorariums for the traditional elders leading the Pangrokat prayer and event coordinators.
• Logistics & Security: Safety coordination for the fishing fleet and venue preparation for the evening gathering.
• Consumption: Meals for the selametan and participants of the sea procession.
• Event Equipment: Sound systems for the nighttime religious assembly and banners for cultural promotion.