Robo-Robo is a traditional ceremony from Mempawah, West Borneo. The word of Robo-Robo itself means Wednesday, which means that Robo-Robo is held on the last week of Syafar, the Islamic month. Robo-Robo is held by Mempawah society as a memorialfor the journey of 'Opu Daeng Manambon' also known as 'Pangeran Mas Surya Negara' from Matan Kingdom to Mempawah Kingdom on Syafar. Robo-Robo is also held to avoid the disasters which may come in Syafar. Robo-Robo has become annual ceremony that has its own history for Mempawah society.
The meaning of Robo-Robo tradition is welcoming of Opu Daeng Manambon. Robo-Robo was believed a united message from all ethnic and religion in West Kalimantan. That message was a legacy, left by Opu Daeng Manambon when he establish Mempawah city.
One of socialm values exist in Robo-Robo in wonderfull of togetherness, to give a direction to all elements of society a harmony. In this section, raised some understanding of contents of the discussion from Robo-Robo tradition that can be used to explore the relationship between cultural values and social values.
The beginning of this story was when Opu Daeng Manambon and her wife Putri Kesumba came to Mempawah kingdom from Matan kingdom, Ketapang in 1148 `Hijriah or 1737 to receive the authority from Panembahan Putri Cermin to Putri Kesumba. When they arrived in Mempawah, they were welcomed by Mempawah society who have waited at the bank of the river.The coming of Opu Daeng Manambon and as well as his wife prayed together to God to be avoived from disaster before they ate the food.
The next year, Mempawah society held the same ceremony or they called Robo-Robo on the last week of Syafar on Wednesday, outside of their house with their families. The people started Robo-Robo after they prayed Dzuhur. Then, before Robo-Robo was started, the people echoed adzan and prayed to God to be avoided and protected from the disasters. Next, they did the ritual to keep the disasters away by throwing away the offering stuff for the spirits to Mempawah River. Finally, they ate all the food that they had made and served together.
Sources:
>>http://fritaren.blogspot.com/2011/06/t-he-ritual-of-robo-robo-in-mempawah.html
>>http://indonesia-vinensia.com/2009/03/pontianak-west-kalimantan-comeliness-of.html
>>http://ace-infotmasibudaya.blogspot.com/2011/03/robo-robo-multikultur-kalbar.html
