dancing kuoke mashrap

3 min read

The first step was to prepare “Miss Kuoke” (a green wheat seedling specifically prepared for mashrap). Rebihan and the women who came to help her, selected a plump seed from the wheat, and selected a big gourd that had been picked that year, cut off its bottom which was similar in size to a tray and then laid wet cotton evenly inside the gourd. For “Miss Kuoke” looking good, a pray service would be piously carried out before the wheat seeds were planted. When the wheat seed shot sprout and grew into a green seedling at the length of 20 centimeters, popcorn were placed around the seedling to symbol the snow in winter.

Komul green wheat seedling mashrap

The second step was to surround the kuoke (the green seedling) with flower buds, decorating it as if it were a beautiful girl. Two mini models of a chicken and a hen, looking at each other, would be put above” Kuoke”, with few flowers around them. The green seedling, popcorn, flowers at the waist of the green seedling, the red flowers and the models of the chicken and the hen symbol a vibrant life.

The third step was to make duxiabu which was the symbol of authority of the executor of mashrap. Duxiabu, also known as kunqieqike, duxiabu was decorated with selected and washed carrots, potatoes and dried fruit.

After the above three steps, now Rebihan, with duxiabu in her hand, announced the beginning of kuoke mashrap. She took out the tray with the green seedling and the other decorations and presented it to a female and a male villager who then stood in front of the villagers. At that time, the villagers all focused their attention on Rebihan. After that, the male villager would say, “Good morning guests. Thanks to Allah. Those standing high please look down, those standing low please look up. If anyone wants to say something, please say as I say. “Then the singing part started, at the accompaniment of the long-drawn-out melody of gijek and hand drum, which meant the climax of mashrap was coming.

I sowed a grain of wheat in winter, I hope everyone would nourish it with honey dew. will present this green seedling to the distinguished guest, This present is the most valuable in the world.

Invite the choristers from the temple to sing.

Invite the beautiful girls to dance.

Please prepare nine goats and thirty geese, And wine and fruit for the guests, The next mashrap will be held at your home.

When mashrap approached its end, all the villagers, female or male, old or young, would join the army of carnival. Maliyamuhan turned to me and said, “It’s time for the transferring ceremony, and they will announce which family would receive ‘Miss Kuoke’.” Sure enough, Rebihan and the 72-year-old Amat Ismail chanted the green seedling ballad to each other and toasted to “Miss Kuoke”. As the owner of “Miss Kuoke”, Rebihan presented the prepared nine chunks of mutton and nine kinds of fruit on nine trays to the receiver of “Miss Kuoke”.

The receiver held “Miss Kuoke”with both hands and took “Miss Kuoke” home escorted by the villagers. The scene of seeing off “Miss Kuoke” is no less jolly than mashrap. A carpet was laid on the ground in front of the door, as if a bride was to be received. The villagers sang and danced, bringing “Miss Kuoke” to the new owner, who would then announce the time of the next round of mashrap. All of a sudden, the villagers cheered loudly.