Harmoni Alam And Tradition At Tanjung Lesung Tourism, Farmers Celebrate Alms Of Earth

JAKARTA - Tanjung Lesung, a leading tourist destination on the west coast of Banten, not only offers a panoramic white sandy beach and a stunning blue sea. Behind the beauty of nature, this area also holds local wisdom which is still closely guarded by the community.

Salah satunya adalah tradisi Sedekah Bumi, sebuah ritual tahunan yang menggambarkan rasa bersyukur para petani terhadap alam yang memberi kehidupan.

On October 5, 2025, the atmosphere in the middle of the Tanjung Lesung rice fields was filled with jokes and laughter. The gamelan instrumented with regional songs accompanied the farmers who were having fun celebrating the alms of the Earth.

This excitement is a symbol of togetherness and expression of gratitude after the procession of prayer together and eating produce on the edge of the rice fields. All dishes served come from their own harvest.

"This tradition has been running for decades, even since this area began to develop as a tourist destination," said Poernomo Siswoprasetijo, President Director of Tanjung Lesung.

He added that Sedekah Bumi is a form of gratitude to God for the fertility of land and abundant harvest. "For farmers, the success of harvesting is not only because of hard work, but also the blessing of nature and God's blessings," he continued.

Tanjung Lesung is now known not only for the charm of marine tourism, but also for its success in building harmonious relations with the surrounding community. Farmers in this area work on fertile agricultural land to plant rice, nutmeg, and watermelons.

"If calculated, the yield of rice harvest from all land can reach hundreds of tons," said Poernomo. He also recalled the visit of the Minister of Agriculture for the 2019-2023 period, Syahrul Yasin Limpo, who had visited the main harvest in this area as evidence that the results of Tanjung Lesung's agriculture contributed to national food security.

According to Kunto Wijoyo, the Director of Operations of Tanjung Lesung, farmers in this area generally manage small land measuring 1,000 2,000 square meters. Even so, the number reaches around 200 farmers who are members of the Tanjung Lesung Farmers Association.

"Our role is not only to give permission to work on land, but also to ensure that the planting and harvesting process runs smoothly and provides economic benefits for local residents," explained Kunto.

From the collaboration between regional managers and farmers, an interesting idea emerged to combine tourism and agriculture: watermelon harvest tourism.

When the harvest season arrives, tourists on vacation to Tanjung Lesung can also feel the sensation of picking watermelons directly from the fields. They can explore agricultural areas using electric bicycles or private vehicles, then stop in the garden to choose and enjoy ripe fruit on the spot.

"For tourists, this is a new experience that is authentic. Meanwhile, for farmers, their crops are immediately absorbed without having to be sold to the market," said Kunto.

This year's Sedekah Bumi tradition is even more lively with the presence of farmers, communities, and the board of directors of Tanjung Lesung who come down to the fields to pray together.

"Thank you for the support and opportunity to work on the land that has been given," said Deni, a representative of Tani Tanjung Lesung Association. "Hopefully the land will remain fertile, this harvest will be abundant, and this cooperation will be stronger."

Closing the event, Kunto emphasized that activities such as Sedekah Bumi and harvest tourism are not just ceremonies. "For us, this is a real form of harmony between humans, nature, and the spirit of sustainable tourism," he concluded.