BKS Blok Cepu reaffirms its commitment to supporting the preservation of local culture within the Cepu Oil and Gas Block operational area, demonstrated through its full backing of the Bengawan Candra Benawa Getas Festival.

This inaugural festival successfully brought together two provinces, Central Java and East Java, involving five villages situated along the banks of the Bengawan Solo River: Getas Village, Jipang Village, and Ngloram Village in Cepu District, Blora Regency (Central Java), as well as Tebon Village in Padangan District and Payaman Village in Ngraho District, Bojonegoro Regency (East Java).

The Badan Kerja Sama (BKS) Blok Cepu (Cepu Block Cooperation Agency), which is an amalgamation of four Regional Government-Owned Enterprises (BUMD) managing the Participating Interest (PI) of the Cepu Block—comprising PT Asri Dharma Sejahtera (BUMD Bojonegoro Regency), PT Blora Patragas Hulu (BUMD Blora Regency), PT Petrogas Jatim Utama Cendana (BUMD East Java Province), and PT Sarana Patra Hulu Cepu (BUMD Central Java Province)—views this festival as a powerful social dynamic that connects the civilisations and operational territories through the Bengawan Solo River.

The festival, which was centred in Getas Village and held from 5th to 6th July 2024, aimed to revive the glory of the Bengawan Solo civilisation, known since the 13th century AD as Tlatah Jipang. The main objective was to encourage the community to revisit and care for the Bengawan Solo, which in turn is expected to unlock positive potential, including tourism and the development of local SMEs/MSMEs.

Culturally Based Event Line-up

Several key activities, focused on developing the local communities' cultural potential, received support from BKS Blok Cepu, including:

• Nyadran Akbar Sekar Benawa: This was the pinnacle of the event, where residents from the five villages presented ceremonial cone-shaped rice mounds (tumpeng) containing nasi takir and kendi (earthen water jugs).

  • Four villages (Ngloram, Jipang, Payaman, and Tebon) conducted prayers and offerings at their respective historical sites (Situs Wura-wari, Makam Santri Sanga, Makam Syekh Abu Umar).

  • The tumpeng were then paraded to the Bengawan Solo River, accompanied by traditional arts such as the typical Blora Barongan and Kentrung.

  • The processions from the four villages crossed the Bengawan Solo River by boat to Getas Village.

  • Upon arrival in Getas Village, specifically at Padas Malang, the procession carrying the tumpeng was welcomed with the traditional dances Sandur and Tari Gambyong.

• Pasar Kambang Bengawan Sore (Bengawan Solo Floating Market in the Afternoon)

• Festival Banawasasra

The attendance of thousands of residents from surrounding areas over the two days of the Candra Benawa Getas Festival underscores the immense enthusiasm shown by the community for this cultural preservation initiative, which was spearheaded by the villages and supported by BKS Blok Cepu.

BKS Blok Cepu’s support for such activities aligns with the aspiration of Blora Regent Arief Rahman, who, while opening the event, conveyed his hope that the activity would continue and foster the local economy around the Cepu Block operational area. BKS Blok Cepu is committed to continuously contributing to social development and the preservation of local cultural values.