Tradisi Mapag Toya di Embung Potorono Bantul
Tradisi Mapag Toya di Embung Potorono Bantul
Under the rain, the local people came to the Potorono dam in Banguntapan, Bantul regency to commemorate the World Water Day as well as the fifth anniversary of Clean Irrigation Movement, Merti Tirto Amartani.
To coincide with these agendas, Serayu Opak Rivers Centre and Universitas Gadjah Mada conducted a cultural event called as Mapag Toya on Sunday (25/3). Local government representatives and UGM representatives attended the event.
Mapag Toya is a tradition to collect water from Tambak Boyo river that flows through the Potorono village. The water is then stored in several jugs. A cultural parade marked the occasion, showcasing harvests and foods during its journey along the village.
Dr. Murtiningrum, Secretary of Agricultural Engineering and Biosystem Department at UGM Faculty of Agricultural Products, extended her support for the event, saying that the Faculty supported it as a way to sustain the quality of water resources so that it can be utilised by human beings.
“Water is a gift from God that has to be managed well to be used by the people, particularly for agriculture purposes,” said Murtiningrum.
Chief of Potorono village, Prawata, thanked those that had given their support for the event. He hoped this would teach the local people how to keep the river clean. “We hope by this event, farmers and other consumers can utilise the water better because the water is clean,” said Prawata.