ANCESTRAL INHERITANCE

An unexpected event

..."People become clever and proficient as they continue to learn and practice"...

Something that was supposed to be kept secret from the villagers, uh, overflowed to the surface quickly. I don't know who spread it. Maybe there are neighbors who heard the quarrel at Bu Lurah's house, or maybe someone heard when Ningsih was angry at home, or it could be a sanggar student. They told his parents then .. yes, know yourself, his name also lives in the village, very quickly the news spread.

People in the market talk a lot about it. When Bu Lurah left for the village office through the market street got a lot of cynical gazes, there were even some who clearly ignored, but passed by.

His name passes in the way of many more people, yes, definitely slowly. So, there is no way that Bu Lurah does not hear their chatter, nor may he not feel disinitiasi, because the people usually always say hello even if just a pleasantie, but now just look at it. All were indifferent and his gaze cynical.

Arriving at the village office, Bu Lurah immediately told Pak Gonden, Bayan Dusun Kidul, to call the elders and the RT, while for the Kasun, the, The secretary and the other pamongs did not need to be called because they were already in the village office.

Pak Wahyu also volunteered to pick up the oldest Mbah Mun. It's a pity that such an old man has to pedal a bicycle. Mbah Mun, even though he is eighty years old, but can still ride his own bike, is still healthy and quite agile. Every day still to the rice fields, looking for grass or firewood as well. However, it feels, really, unethical to make people as old as it has to pedal their own bike a considerable distance.

The location of the village office is behind the village hall, on the right there is a warehouse and a rice barn, next to the rice barn is an SMP building. From the window of the classroom where he taught, Ningsih could see the activities in the village hall. A cynical smile fell on the corner of his lips when he saw Bu Lurah giving orders to the people who were arranging the seats, pointing here and there like a big boss.

Before long his forehead frowned, wondering inwardly, what will that event be? When he saw the elders and people he knew who served as the chairman of RT arriving, Ningsih also assumed that there would be a village meeting to discuss nyadranan.

Like being in a trial, Bu Lurah and the Kasun sat in front of the audience. Bu Lurah in the middle, four Kasun—two on the left and two on the right.

Bu Lurah stood up and began to speak impassively, like he was orating, "I just spoke to the core so as not to waste time. When is the day I've spoken to the elders ...."

As Bu Lurah continued to speak, the people attending the meeting looked uneasy. Disappointed faces whispered to each other and glanced cynically at him who continued to speak like possessed.

Brakes

Instantaneous silence. Bu Lurah stared intently at Mr. Revelation who had just hit the table. The reply of Mr. Revelation was no less sharp.

"That's her name is against custom, Ms. Lurah. Let's think again, together find a way out. Do not let the progress that Bu Lurah wants to achieve it even destroys the culture of this Pangangan Village."

"Try, Mr. Revelation thinks! Are those pundens and hangars any good, huh?! If you want a celebration, can be in the village hall or sendang, to?!

"You don't just talk, Ndok!" Mbah Mun chimed in, his tone was high until it shook. The head of the oldest man among all those present continued to sway, like a tremor sufferer.

Punden is the forerunner of Pangangan Village. There Ki Gopit, and the village lived. Sanggar was also built in honor of Nyai Bibet—wri Ki Gopit—which is said to be fond of dancing. It has been a hereditary legacy and is believed to be the protector of the village, where it can be dismantled just like that. If Mbah Danyang is angry, the village can be hit by disaster.

"Then it's moved, how?" Mr. Gonden had to accept everyone's eyes, except for Ms. Lurah, because of her words just now.

"If this village is constantly superstitious, when will it go, huh? Pundens and hangars are dismantled for more useful things, to advance the village, the roads that are still not because it will also be repaired. Where's the fault?" The red lips that continued to throw arguments to justify his intentions, invited the wrath of all present.

Mr. Wahyu's firm jaw seemed increasingly prominent, his hands clenched on the table. "If you really want to widen the market, why not take advantage of the garbage disposal area that almost never has garbage?"

"Yes, that's right!"

"Well! I agree with that!"

Mr. Wahyu's proposal got a lot of positive responses. Bu Lurah's face was instantly red. "Jagan knows! The land is also included in the plan-"

"Then I think Bu Lurah has gone overboard." Without hesitation, Pak Wahyu interrupted Bu Lurah. "Punden and sanggar that if used as one is still no bigger than the landfill area that can even be used as a place of goat."

(Angon: herding)

"Well! That's right." Mbah Surip finally made his voice. Agree with Pak Wahyu, the landfill area is already quite large, no need to be added, especially to the point of having to sacrifice Punden.

Brak, brak, brak

Bu Lurah went berserk, hitting the table many times and in a row. All speechless. Except ....

"I agree with Ms. Lurah," Mr. Gonden said loudly. His eyes stared hard. "We don't need that hangar and that punden. It would be great if used--"

"Gon! You talk like that, you realize what not, to? Ngawur! You were born and raised in this village, you might think so!" Fiery, the face of Mr. Revelation who was originally brown, now looks darker mixed with red, veins in the temple protruding and twitching, like worms wriggling under the skin.

"For the sake of the village's progress, what's wrong, Kang?!" Mr. Gonden replied no less fierce. The thick moustached face also looked increasingly fierce. "Truely said Bu Lurah, if you continue to be superstitious, this village will never be able to advance!"

"You-you-"

"No objection!" Bu Lurah interrupted Pak Wahyu. "My decision is already round, the pundits and sanggar will be torn down to expand the market, also so as not to spoil the scenery. Nyadranan can be done in the village hall or sendang. Point!"

"What is the point of you inviting us to announce that you finally make your own decision? Sharp knife because sharpened. High school as a pinter, but even keblinger. That ciloko boy of yours. Titenono, yo .. titenono tree." Mbah Mun got angry as he left the village hall.

(Ciloko: fuck. Titenono: look at it later, watch out for you)

Pak Wahyu chased after him, no matter the manners anymore, just left to drive Mbah Mun home. After their death, others disbanded, until only Bu Lurah and Pak Gonden stayed.

"You ... clean all the chairs and tables!" After giving the order, Bu Lurah immediately left. Mr. Gonden could only grimace while scratching his head.

From his place, Ningsih tightened his jaw and clenched his hands. The commotion in the village hall he could hear was very clear. His heart is not broken.

_________

Motorcycles glide smoothly on a rice field road full of longitudinal and deep ruts. The parts of the road that are hollow and inundated also do not seem to make it difficult for the rider.

Helmets were hung on the handlebar, her hair fluttering in the breeze that was blowing lightly. A black backpack that does not seem to contain a lot of cargo is attached to the top of the back. A brownish green uniform attaches itself perfectly to his athletic body, and a black boot adds to the perfection of his appearance.

The young man was a Forest Mantri, already used to the poor condition of the streets. Even worse than the one he was now traversing had already been struck by him as well. He came to pay a visit to Pangangan Village because this village - in a few weeks' time - would be his place of duty.

[Connected]