Getting to Know Seblang Bakungan, the Unique Osing Tribe Tradition That Has Captured Global Attention.

Banyuwangi once again presents a Cultural Tourism experience that cannot be found anywhere else. During the 2026 Eid al-Adha Long Holiday, thousands of tourists crowded Bakungan Urban Village, Glagah District, to witness the Seblang Ritual: a sacred tradition of the Osing people that has been passed down through generations for hundreds of years.

Amid the rapid development of modern tourism, Seblang Bakungan remains standing as one of Banyuwangi's strongest cultural identities. This tradition is not only a customary agenda for local communities, but has also evolved into a Cultural Attraction that catches the attention of both Domestic Tourists and international visitors.

For this year's holding, the Seblang dance was performed by Isni, a 54-year-old woman trusted to carry the role of lead dancer in this sacred ritual. Within Seblang tradition, the dancer performs while in a trance state as part of the ceremonial process that local communities believe forms a spiritual connection with their ancestors.

"This tradition is not just an effort to guard our ancestral legacy. It also ensures local culture remains alive amid modernization, and this also becomes an arena to strengthen the spirit of mutual cooperation and brotherhood among residents," stated Banyuwangi Regent Ipuk Fiestiandani in Banyuwangi, Monday 1 June 2026.

Banyuwangi Regent Ipuk Fiestiandani also appreciated the community's collective spirit in preserving this tradition, which is recorded to have existed since 1639.

She further stated that the Banyuwangi Regency Government will continue providing support for the preservation of Seblang Bakungan as one of the region's cultural assets that holds high historical value.

"The Seblang tradition can be found in two settlements that are the homeland of the Osing Tribe, namely Olehsari Village and Bakungan Urban Village in Glagah District," Ipuk explained.

Opens with Communal Feast and Ider Bumi Parade

The full Seblang Ritual series is held every month of Dhu al-Hijjah, approximately one week after Eid al-Adha. The procession begins with a mass communal feast involving all residents along every street of Bakungan Urban Village.

Before the main event commences, the community first performs Maghrib prayer and collective supplication prayers together at the local mosque. Prayers are offered to request safety, prosperity, and blessings for every member of the village.

The proceedings then continue with the Ider Bumi tradition: a torchlit parade that circles the entire residential area. This procession acts both as a symbol of unity and an expression of gratitude from the Osing people.

Along the entire parade route, residents gather together on mats laid out by the roadside to share tumpeng ceremonial rice and pecel pithik, the signature local dish of Banyuwangi. This warm moment clearly displays How deeply values of communal cooperation are embedded in daily life of the Osing people.

The Mesmerizing Trance Dance That Draws Tourists

The peak of the event arrives when the Seblang dancer enters the trance phase. With her eyes closed, Isni dances continuously following the rhythm of traditional musical pieces Kodok Ngorek and Seblang Lukinto, which are played on repeating loop.

According to local belief, during this phase the dancer is understood to be guided by ancestral spirits, which forms the core sacred element of this ritual.

The unique dance movements, the haunting tone of traditional Music, and the thick spiritual atmosphere that covers the event grounds create an incredibly immersive Cultural Experience for all visitors.

It is no coincidence that the Seblang Ritual successfully attracts thousands of tourists every year. This year, multiple foreign visitors were also observed among the crowd, including Hungarian Traveler Gergo Zalatnai who attended to witness one of Banyuwangi's most extraordinary living traditions firsthand.

For Cultural Tourism enthusiasts, Seblang Bakungan is far more than a simple dance performance. This tradition serves as a window to understand how the Osing people preserve their relationship with their history, their ancestors, and their cultural identity through endless waves of changing times.