Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Amid the natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of Indonesia’s Maluku Islands, a unique traditional attraction known as bambu gila, or “Crazy Bamboo,” continues to captivate audiences. This traditional attraction is not only unique but also mystical, as the ceremony calls out spirit to come.
As its name suggests, the crazy bamboo performance centers around a bamboo pole, used as the main prop. The setup is deceptively simple: players clasp and hold the bamboo tightly. The shaman then summons ancestral spirits to “enter” the bamboo, making it suddenly feel heavier and causing it to shake and leap unpredictably, responding only to the shaman’s guidance. This erratic movement gives the game its name “Crazy Bamboo.”
Today, crazy bamboo is typically featured in traditional ceremonies, including weddings and other major gatherings throughout Maluku. Despite the growing influence of modernization, crazy bamboo remains a regular and cherished part of Maluku’s cultural heritage.
Origins and Rituals
The roots of crazy bamboo, steeped in mysticism, date back to a time before Christianity and Islam arrived in the Maluku region. Its origins are said to lie in the bamboo forests near Mount Gamalama, an active volcano on Ternate Island.
Before the performance begins, a special bamboo, about 2.5 meters long and 8 centimeters wide, is prepared. This bamboo is carefully selected from the forest and undergoes a ritual performed by a local elder. In accordance with tradition, the spiritual guide seeks permission from the spirits believed to inhabit the bamboo forest before cutting the bamboo.
The selected bamboo is then trimmed according to ritual practices, cleansed, washed with coconut oil, and adorned with cloth tied at each end.
Summoning Ancestral Spirits
Before the performance, the shaman lights incense in a coconut shell and recites sacred verses in bahasa tanah, a traditional Maluku language. As the incense smoke envelops the bamboo, the shaman sometimes chews ginger, chants incantations, and sprays the ginger juice onto the bamboo. The incense and ginger serve as offerings to summon ancestral spirits, infusing the bamboo with mystical power.
These invoked spirits are believed to “possess” the bamboo, causing it to shake uncontrollably, and as the energy intensifies, controlling the bamboo becomes increasingly difficult.
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The Crazy bamboo Spectacle
Once the shaman begins chanting “gila, gila, gila!” (crazy, crazy, crazy!), the performance officially begins. Traditional Maluku instruments like the tifa, drums, and gongs play in rhythm, as seven men grasp the bamboo, struggling to control its wild movements. The shaman blows incense smoke and sprays ginger onto the bamboo, which appears to move on its own.
As the music’s tempo increases, the bamboo grows heavier and more forceful, dancing with an almost supernatural energy. The show often ends with the performers collapsing in exhaustion as the bamboo’s force overwhelms them.
To dispel the bamboo’s mystical energy, the shaman concludes the ritual by feeding it fire — burning a piece of paper near the bamboo.
The Role of Crazy bamboo in Maluku’s Traditional Ceremonies
Today, crazy bamboo is often performed during traditional ceremonies such as weddings and other large gatherings across the Maluku Islands. Despite modern influences, the practice endures, representing a powerful connection to Maluku’s cultural roots. Beyond entertainment, crazy bamboo holds deep spiritual and philosophical significance, preserving an ancient heritage that still resonates in Maluku’s communities today.
(Raidi/Agung)
