Bhitek : Tradition of Indonesia

Once a year, fishermen in North Tanjung or better known as Grinting always hold traditional ceremony or ritual activity that have been designated as an annual event by the Government of Probolinggo, namely Petik Laut or sea alms activity or better known as "bhitek". Generally, this activity is not only carried out by the Probolinggo community but is carried out in areas along the coastline of the island of Java. This traditional ceremony is carried out because people who always get the abundant benefits of the sea feel the need to carry out such activity to express their gratitude to the Creator, this illustrates that the people of Probolinggo in particular have a high spiritual soul by holding activities that symbolize expressions of gratitude to God Almighty for His mercy and grace to all people. In addition, this activity aims to preserve the culture of mutual cooperation and togetherness that has been passed down generation to generation from the ancestors, so that it has become a tradition in the coastal areas of Probolinggo. Petik Laut is held with the main objective to be grateful for the sustenance of the fishermen for the past year and ask for blessings, safety and beneficial results in the future. The community also believes that if this kind of ceremony is not carried out, the area will experience disaster.

The “bhitek” ritual begins with making offerings and prayers by the fishermen's elders, the best wishes accompanied by deep gratitude - for the prosperity of the people around the coast - are said before the offerings are floated into the sea, while the people around the coast prepare the equipment to be used to arrange the offerings on the boat. The offerings made consisted of a cow or goat's head, colored porridge, flowers and others. Apart from the offerings, the boats are also filled with a variety of traditional foods, livestock such as chickens, fruit or other items that have been collected by the residents. The small boat or boat used to carry the offerings is a fishing boat that is usually used to go to sea but the boat is prepared and made as beautiful as possible a few days before the event is held, after being decorated, the boat is stored at the elders house of fishermen, generally the boats are decorated with colorful paper and coconut leaves. or small flags like sailboats, besides the offering boats, boats are also available to herd offerings to the sea. All kinds of materials are carried away with the philosophical value of life. The philosophies of the contents of this offering are many, for example, plantains. When fishermen are going to the sea, it is as if they are brave kings of the sea, never giving up, as though the waves is their pillow and the wind is their blanket. The head of a goat or cow likens humans to work not only using hands and feet, but using the brain so that they are more careful accompanied by the eye of the heart.

The delivery process begins by placing the offering boat on the beach, then the residents push the boat to the shoreline to then escort it out to sea. On the day of delivery the offerings, many people watched, not only residents around the beach, residents from other areas also joined to enliven the ceremony. Large boats or ships are prepared to accompany the offering boats, large boats carrying residents who want to see directly the process of offerings delivery. The residents bring the offering boats to the middle of the sea and then the offerings are washed out to sea. After the delivery process, residents scrambled to take the food and stuff inside the boat. Then, the large boat carrying residents around on the beach. Apart from the ceremony or “bhitek”, various celebrations are also carried out afterwards such as recitations of quran, dangdut orchestra, etc. according to the wishes of the fishermen in each region.