Banyuwangi, E. Java (ANTARA) - After dusk, people began to arrive at the Osing Kemiren Traditional Village in Banyuwangi Regency, East Java.
Luring tourists to Banyuwangi
Local and foreign tourists joined the residents of Kemiren village, Glagah district, for the annual Festival Ngopi Sepuluh Ewu (which means, drinking 10 thousand coffee cups).
For the festival, rows of houses in the village were converted into impromptu coffee shops, with terraces converted into sitting areas with classic tables and chairs. What's more, people were served coffee in ancient cups passed down from generation to generation.
During the festival, local and foreign tourists could sample a variety of coffees, ranging from Arabica and Robusta to house blends prepared by the residents of Kemiren village, the cultural center of the Osing Tribe, or the native people of Banyuwangi.
As the guests drank coffee, the sound of Banyuwangi songs accompanied by traditional gamelan musical instruments, added to the comfortable atmosphere.
The arts and cultural attractions of Osing Kemiren Traditional Village also drew thousands of visitors who joined the festival, supported by the Banyuwangi regency government.
Every year, the residents of Kemiren village mark their village's anniversary by showcasing Osing arts and cultural attractions.
The traditional coffee-drinking event has been routinely held since 2014, and has become an agenda awaited by tourists, who come in thousands to join the celebration in the village.
The Tourism Awareness Group of the Osing Kemiren Traditional Village said that in addition to thousands of domestic tourists, dozens of foreign tourists joined this year's festival.
Head of the group, Moh Edi Saputro, informed that local tourists came from several other regions, such as Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya, and neighboring districts. Meanwhile, the foreign tourists were mostly from Europe. They took out time to come to Kemiren village and at the same time, explore other tourist attractions in Banyuwangi.
The villagers, who mostly belong to the Osing Tribe, have a tradition of drinking coffee. For them, coffee is a kind of mandatory treat for guests visiting their homes.
The coffee festival is also an effective way to promote cultural tourism in each region in creative, educational, and interactive ways.
With such a creative approach, the regency is managing to attract local and foreign tourists.
The local government program implemented by the Kemiren village administration promotes cultural tourism by holding annual cultural activities, such as traditional dance performances, traditional cuisine, and cultural festivals.
In addition to coffee, the residents of the village also serve traditional snacks to complement the moment of togetherness.For local Banyuwangi residents, the coffee festival is also an opportunity to gather with old friends and catch up with school friends and others.
The culture of the Osing community is to honor guests. The residents of the Kemiren Traditional Village treat anyone who comes to visit as their own family.
The coffee tradition is also part of the Banyuwangi Festival. It is not just an event to drink coffee together, but also a space to showcase the noble values of the Osing Tribe.
The coffee festival is a cultural performance that illustrates the friendliness and generosity of the Osing community, while strengthening the sense of brotherhood among residents.
On its 167th anniversary this year, the Osing Kemiren villagers utilized the festival to preserve their culture, while also boosting the economy of the residents.
By continuing to introduce village traditions, it is hoped that more tourists will visit the village, which is not far from the center of Banyuwangi.
Kemiren Traditional Village is a complete tourist destination. The village has natural beauty, charming arts, and a culture that has been preserved from generation to generation.
It was certified as a Sustainable Tourism Village in 2021 by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy.
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Tourists coming to this village are treated to a variety of educational, culinary, and cultural attractions, among others.
The Kampung Osing market, the Pesantogan Kemangi food stalls, and the Osing traditional house area in the village are a big draw for tourists.
The Osing Kemiren Traditional Tourism Village also won 2nd place in the 2024 Indonesian Tourism Village Award held by the Ministry of Tourism, in the Institutional and Human Resources (HR) category.
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It won the award as it was considered successful in strengthening the human resource empowerment ecosystem in its village to increase employment and improve the economy of residents.
Not only are the local people enthusiastic about welcoming tourists with cultural offerings, but the village administration also provides tourism management training to homestay owners and other tourism business actors so that their businesses can continue to grow and be sustainable.
Maintaining culture is not only respecting ancestral heritage and preserving the richness of local traditions.
The Kemiren community has shown that efforts to maintain cultural wealth are also a mainstay for the future, especially for community economic empowerment.
