Sea Hosts, Malay Cultural Heritage And Reflection On Human Harmoni With Nature

JAKARTA - In the midst of a wave of modernization, the tradition of Marine Herbal Medicine still survives as a form of respect for coastal Malay communities towards the sea as a source of life.

This traditional ceremony is not just ceremonial, but a reflection of the philosophy of life that teaches gratitude, balance, and harmonious relations between humans and nature.

Held by Malay fishermen, especially in the coastal areas of North Sumatra, Jamu Laut became a symbol of maritime civilization that instills spiritual and ecological values from generation to generation.

The Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, while attending the Sea Herbal Medicine event at Pantai Cermin, Serdang Bedagai Regency, said that this tradition is in line with the government's vision of realizing food security and cultural preservation.

He called Jamu Laut a form of local wisdom that teaches respect for the sea and a relationship that protects each other between humans and the environment.

This tradition is a form of local wisdom, how humans, especially fishermen, establish relationships that are in line with the sea as a source of life. This is not only a matter of culture, but also a contribution to the sustainability and security of food," said Fadli, as quoted by ANTARA.

The series of events at the Janu Laut involve rituals for requests for blessings, safety, and delegation of catches. The local community presents prayers and offerings to the sea as a form of gratitude and respect for natural guards who are believed to reside in the waters.

This ceremony is also a momentum to strengthen social solidarity between fishing communities.

According to Fadli, the implementation of this tradition is expected to bring blessings and improve welfare for fishermen.

"Hopefully after this ritual, the results of the sea will be more abundant and bring real benefits to fishermen's families," he added.

On this occasion, Minister Fadli also appreciated the Serdang Bedagai Regency Government and the Indonesian Malay Youth Movement (GAMI) for the initiative to keep ancestral traditions alive in the midst of the challenges of the times.

This proves that the spirit of loving and caring for the nation's culture is still alive in the younger generation. This tradition does not only belong to the past, but also part of our future," he said.

Furthermore, the Minister of Education and Culture encourages the tradition of Marine Herbal Medicine to be proposed as part of Indonesia's Intangible Cultural Heritage (WBTB), in order to obtain official recognition and protection in the national cultural system.

"Hopefully this year we can register Marine Herbal Medicine as one of the cultural heritages of non-body. This is an important step to ensure the sustainability of the noble values of coastal communities," concluded Fadli.