On Sunday (Aug. 25), 78 ox carts participated in a parade through villages for approximately 5 kilometers in the Hargobinangun area, Sleman.
Starting in the morning, the ox carts, pulled by two white Peranakan Ongole (PO) cows, paraded in a convoy. Each cart was led by a bajingan (ox cart driver) and a navigator. Visitors were allowed to sit at the back of the ox carts during the carnival.
The parade of dozens of ox carts was part of the Gerobak Sapi Merdeka Festival, organized by the UGM Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FKH UGM) to celebrate FKH UGM’s 78th anniversary and the 16th anniversary of the ox cart riders’ group, Pangrekso Andini Karyo (PAK).
Professor Aris Haryanto, Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration, and Alumni of FKH UGM, stated that five ox cart groups participated in this year’s Gerobak Sapi Festival.
“Five ox cart rider groups are participating in this festival,” said Professor Haryanto.
The five ox cart groups included Pangrekso Andini Karyo, Langgeng Sehati, Makarti Roso Manunggal, Manunggal Lestari, and Pager Merapi, originating from Klaten, Central Java.
The oxen used were Peranakan Ongole (PO) draft cattle. One of the distinct characteristics of PO cattle is their tall and large bodies, grayish-white color, and hump on the back of their necks.
“These PO cattle receive excellent care and are certainly healthy, as they are capable of pulling carts and accustomed to long journeys,” he said.
Professor Haryanto added that after the parade and return to the Pojok Hargobinangun field in Sleman, the Gerobak Sapi Festival featured two competitions: the Gerobak Sapi Drag Race and the Tunggang Serasi competition.
In the Drag Race, the bajingan drives the ox cart without a navigator. The committee provided the carts, and during the race, the oxen and carts had to follow a pre-designed route within a five-minute time limit.
“The scoring is based on the driver’s skill in maneuvering the oxen without touching the rope boundary and successfully passing through the stakes,” he explained.
Meanwhile, in the Tunggang Serasi competition, individual riders and oxen were required to navigate a winding course in less than 2 minutes. The ox was expected to follow directions and stop to salute in front of the stage for 30 seconds while completing the route without stepping over the white line.
In the Gerobak Sapi Drag Race, the first-place winner was Suwardi with a time of 1:31, followed by Dayu with 1:37. Ari with 1:38. For the Tunggang Serasi competition, Sapto came in first with a time of 01.11.59, followed by Iza with 01.13.73 and Dani with 01.22.91.
The winners of both competitions were awarded the FKH UGM Dean’s Trophy, certificates, and prize money.
On this occasion, Professor Aris Haryanto paid particular attention to Gani Mustofa, a 7-year-old winner of the Tunggang Serasi competition. He noted that Mustofa’s participation, a student at an Islamic Junior High School (MTS), exemplifies a young person excelling in the ox-riding competition.
“These ox-riding competitions are not only participated in by adults but also teenagers and even children,” he remarked.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Afif