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Madura Island is part of East Java that needs a
better access. Madura that consist of four regencies has a lot to
offer. It has excellent quality of agriculture outputs and beautiful
tourism objects and more. The presence of the bridge had expected
to improve smoother flow of people, goods and service from and into
this island. Mayor impacts had expected to emerge from this facility,
be it socially and economically. The Suramadu Bridge that connects
Surabaya and Madura Island has expected to complete in 2007, extending
5.43 km with 28.10 m width.
The sea crossing from East Java to the small island of Madura takes
just half an hour. Measuring about 160 km in length and about 40
across at it s widest point, Madura support a population of close
to 3 million inhabitants, most of whom are farmers or fisherman.
The most famous attraction of this island is the
annual bull racing (kerapan sapi), which takes place during the
dry season in August – September. These exiting and colourful
tournaments consist of a race between two pairs of bulls, each team
pulling a rider and sled. Then, the finals are held in Madura’s
capital, Pamekasan on October.
The interesting part of this attraction is when
a rider stands on the ‘Keleles’, yelling and slamming
while his hands hold two sticks and slap the bull’s weight
and attached to the bulls. A pair of male cow races each other in
200 m length or known with Kerapan Sapi. Madurese always hold this
race yearly from sub district level, district, and finally to get
a President Cup.
This tradition has done for so long and it is a
symbol to thank to God by cow breeders in Madura. Brown cow, a Madurese
cow which is always in the race, tourist also can notice Sapi Kereman,
to enjoy how Madurese takes care of their cows. It is the interesting
part, begins with how the Madurese graze the cows, take care of
the cow’s health with traditional herbs and train the cow
about running. In the middle of Kerapan Sapi, there is an additional
attraction “Sapi Sono”. It is a female bull contest.
The town of Sumenep of the North Eastern and of
the island has some interesting historical, as well as some good
nearby. The city’s old palace and museum are worth visiting,
as is the large Jami’ Mosque with its green-tiered roof, above
the town is the royal mausoleums Asta Tinggi. The two main beaches
near Sumenep are Slopeng beach and Lombang beach. The former, which
lies on the north coast some 21 km from the town, is a beautiful
location with tall palm trees shading the edge of the beach. At
Lombang, on Madura’s northeastern point, a long and narrow
stretch of white sand is back by dwarf Causarina trees.
A narrow road runs the whole along Madura’s
attractive north coast, from Slopeng to Bangkalan. There are many
small villages and quite beaches on the way, in particular the fishing
communities of Pasongsongan and Pasean, where the estuaries have
packed with colourful sailing boats. Near to Bangkalan there is
Aermata tomb of Ratu Ibu, which dates back to the mind 17 century.
The tomb set on a hill about 4 km inland the town of Arosbaya.
Madura has well known for its Batik Textile production
and has its own unique style in the performing art; the island is
famous for its Topeng Dalang, a mask dance / theatre, which at one
time had only seen within the royal palace. Most popular Batik is
at Tanjungbumi, Bangkalan.
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