RACING IN JAVA

Hokitika Guardian, 14 August 1929, Page 5

RACING IN JAVA

The other day I saw one of the strangest ceremonies I have ever witnessed (writes the Rev. Frederick Stubbs, F.R.G.S., who has been travelling in Java), it was the 25th anniversary of the Preanger Racing Club, and an extraordinary function was organised to commemorate the event. A large crowd of Europeans and natives having gathered in front of the grandstand, the head and horns of a cow were placed on the ground, while a priest burned incense beifore it and said prayers or incantations. Then, numerous crackers having been let off, the cow’s head was lifted up and a procession of natives headed, strange to say, as Marshal, by an Australian on an Australian horse, marched all round the racecourse with native hand, dancing, flag-waving and shouting, carrying with them the head and horns of the cow. The dancing and shouting, I was informed, were intended to frighten away demons, for it appears that in this country even a. racecourse may he visited by evil spirits. Having returned to the neighbourhood of the grandstand, the procession left the racecourse for a small public square, in the midst of which a hole had been dug. Beside this hole the head of the co\v. was placed, the notables of the city—the Mayor, the president of the club, the Regent, the Commandcr-in-Chief, the native clergy, etc., gathered around it whilst beyond the notables was a dense crowd of natives. After a short speech by the president of the club prayers wore said in the same manner •as at our ceremonials, and then, with loud shouts, the cow’s head was placed in the earth and a tree planted on the top of it to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Racing Club. A little Inter food was distributed to the natives and the ceremonies ended.