Wonosadi Village Resort

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1 ( 3 Voter(s) )

A. Overview

Much uniqueness can be found in the rural areas of Gunungkidul Regency. Each tourism village has its own, and while there are those famous for its wooden masks, limestone crafts, and antique metal lamp, there is one that presents natural conservation value for excursion. The village is Wonosadi.

Located in the District of Ngawen, Gunungkidul Regency, the village offers Wonosadi Forest exoticism. Considering its potential as a tourism resort, there was then founded the Tourism Managing Board of Wonosadi Village (Baladewi) to take care of the invaluable asset and to work on the tourism aspects.

The village water management is run well by the people. As a result, they have never experienced water scarcity for long while this is a problem shared by most areas in Gunungkidul. This is mainly due to the local people awareness to conserve the forest, enabling it to work as it is supposed to in water cycle.

Apart from the forest as the main appeal, Wonosadi also puts forward some other things like religious tourism objects, of which among them are Watu Gedhong, Kali Ndek, and Sedang Karang Tengah. Moreover, there is also bamboo handicraft which is a product of local home industry. Some cultural events are held regularly. Rasulan, sadranan, mboyong dewi sri, midang, mitoni, ruwatan, and rinding gumbeng musical performance are only some examples.

B. Features

Myths can oftentimes serve as reasons for good things, such as forest conservation. This is what has long happened to the people around Wonosadi Forest. They believe that the forest belonged to Pangeran Onggolotjo, a prince from Majapahit Kingdom. The prince is believed to have entrusted the forest to the people of Wonosadi.

So the people strongly embrace the faith that, with the forest being owned by a nobleman, they have to really preserve the forest ecosystem. In the forest, there are various flora and fauna and also big stones which are believed to have been thrown up there as Merapi Volcano erupted in ancient times. This is as if the people regard that preservation of the forest is a tradition and that the forest is a hutan adat, a forest they sanctify.

The natural beauty and archeological value, with the existence of the volcanic stones, are real attractions for tourists. But the village has more to offer, such as the folk musical art called rinding gumbeng, which is regarded as the oldest traditional art in Java.

Rinding gumbeng is a music that reflects the daily life of most people in Gunungkidul, who are determined, humble, and close with nature. The art combines two musical instruments, namely rinding and gumbeng. The former is a kind of flute made of bamboo, while the latter is made of bamboo as well, but it is a string instrument which is played by hitting them.

It remains unknown as to when rinding gumbeng was first played. But people believe it is very old and originated from the times when Gunungkidul people still worshipped Devi Sri, the goddess of rice, and had yet to use metal tools.

Rinding gumbeng is usually performed after harvest. The people will carry the crops on their shoulders around the village with an accompaniment of the music. They believe that the merriment will make Devi Sri happy so that She will give them abundant crops again the next harvest.

Now that time has changed, rinding gumbeng has gone through some innovations. It is now rarely performed in a harvest fiesta. One of the ways to preserve the music is by combining it with other traditional music such as campursari, keroncong, dangdut, and children game folk.

C. Location

Wonosadi occupies some parts of two hamlets, Duren and Sidorejo, in Beji Village, Ngawen District, Gunungkidul Regency, Special Province of Yogyakarta. It is about 35 km north of Wonosari, the capital of Gunungkidul.

D. Access

The location of Wonosadi Village Resort is accessible by public transportation or private car or motorcycle. Using public transportation, from Giwangan Bus Station in Yogyakarta, you should take a bus heading for Wonosari and get off at Wonosari Bus Station. Then, you should continue your trip by minibus (usually green-colored) heading for Ngawen or by motorcylcle taxi called ojek.

E. Ticket

There is no admission ticket to enter Wonosadi. Visitors will only have to keep the environment clean there.

F. Accommodations and Other Facilities

Wonosadi Village Resort provides facilities for tourists, such as:

Guesthouses that can contain 10 people for rent at Rp 30,000 per person (including breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Food Stores that sell Gunungkidul special snacks like tiwul, krupuk rambak, gethuk, gethuk lindri, kripik pisang, and kripik singkong.
Wide parking lots that have enough space for 20 cars, 50 motorcycles, and 3 buses.
Information center open every day from 08.00 to 18.00 West Indonesian Standard Time.

In the village, there is often held a traditional performance, like wayang kulit (literally leather puppet) show, wayang orang (human puppet) show, classical dance, new creation of reog, and rinding gumbeng. All of these are too good to miss.

Text: Tunggul Tauladan
Photo(s): Collection of Jogjatrip.com
Translation: Reza Daffi
(Primary data and various sources)

Read : 3420 time(s).

If you are from outside Yogyakarta and want to visit this place by travel agency services,
please contact:

Maharatu Tour and Travel

Jl. Sisingamangaraja No. 27 Yogyakarta.
Telp. +62 274 8373005. Fax. +62 274 379250
Email : maharatu@maharatu.com -maharatu257@yahoo.com
Website : www.maharatu.com

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