Get To Know Gulat Pathol, One Of The Tradition Game In Rembang

In addition to culinary and tourism, in Rembang Regency also has other characteristics. That is a traditional game. One of them is Gulat Pathol. If you look at its history, in the past, wrestling was used as a way of selecting soldiers. Until now it is still sustainable as an art.

Now, Gulat Pathol performances are accompanied by musical instruments. If you look at the recordings circulating in the Maya world, there is a drum beat. Then there were the cheers of the audience.

Two men were fighting physical strength in the arena. They are shirtless then wearing shorts. They were tied around the waist with a white cloth belt.

In addition to drums, the rhythm of the music is also accompanied by gamelan. The two participants also pushed each other to compete. There are occasional slams. In this game, there are no punches or kicks. Because this is what is called Gulat Pathol game. A typical game of Rembang Regency.

This tradition is still preserved in the eastern Rembang area. Precisely in the Sarang sub-district and its surroundings. In the wrestling game, the participants were also supervised by the referee. Every time a player falls, the game is paused. Still accompanied by gamelan beats, the audience laughed as well.

 Usually, this game is held on a certain agenda as a means of entertainment. If you hear about its origins, pathol wrestling is done as a selection to enter the military forces. Danang Swastika from the Historical Society Communication Forum (Fokmas) Lasem said that Wrestling Pathol was closely related to a figure named Prince Santi Yoga.

He is the son of Empu Santi Badra and Dewi Sukati. He is the seventh son of 10 siblings.

When he was young, continued Danang, Prince Santi Yoga helped his brother, Prince Santi Puspa, in managing the ships in Kiran Harbor. At that time, this location was a special port for the military.

At that time, Prince Santi Yoga was in charge of recruiting military troops. One of them is through the Pathol Wrestling method. Whoever wins will enter the military service in Lasem at that time.

Danang said Prince Santi Yoga became a Wrestling Pathol figure starting from the village of Punjulharjo, Rembang District to Sarang District. So he is known as Mr. Pathol Rembang.

Starting from there, over time this Gulat Pathol still survives and is preserved by the people of the East Rembang Region. "Currently Gulat Pathol or Pathol Sarang has developed into an art," he said.

According to him, this could be a cultural potential in Salt City. "Lasem Rembang has become rare. Currently, the traces of Mr. Pathol Rembang can be found in the Punjulharjo Village area, Rembang District. In that place, there is a tomb with a tombstone engraved with the motif of Surya Majapahit. That is the resting place of Prince Santi Yoga. It is estimated that this tomb is around the 1500s.

Fokmas together with the Ki Asem Gede Association plan to organize this location. Danang hopes that the preservation of historical sites in Lasem can be carried out properly. And get concerned and participation from various parties. (Vachri/ Contributor)

--- Translated by Laksita ---