Kemiren Osing Village: A Living Heritage of Banyuwangi’s Indigenous Culture

Nestled in the highlands of Banyuwangi, East Java, Kemiren Osing Village stands as a living testament to the enduring culture of the Osing people—an indigenous Javanese sub-ethnic group believed to be direct descendants of the Majapahit Empire. Unlike other regions that have modernized rapidly, Kemiren has preserved its spiritual, architectural, and cultural identity through generations. Walking through this village feels like stepping into a different time—where wooden houses with woven bamboo walls (called gedhogan) line narrow lanes, and sacred rituals are still practiced as part of daily life.

Kemiren is not a museum—it’s a living village, where cultural heritage is not just displayed but experienced. Visitors are welcomed with Osing hospitality: traditional Gandrung dance performances, melodic Angklung Paglak bamboo music, and ceremonial events that showcase the Osing connection to nature, ancestors, and cosmic harmony. During festivals like Tumpeng Sewu and Barong Ider Bumi, the village becomes a vibrant hub of offerings, food-sharing, and communal prayer. It’s one of the few places in Java where you can witness ancient animistic-Hindu-Buddhist traditions still intertwined with Islam in a harmonious local belief system.

Osing’s Old woman

What to See, Taste, and Experience

A visit to Kemiren is a sensory and soulful journey. Here’s what you shouldn’t miss:

Traditional Osing Houses: Built using no nails, these structures are aligned with spiritual principles and adorned with ancestral symbols.
Local Coffee Culture: Sip robust Kopi Osing, brewed over wood fire, often served during communal gatherings in open-air lesehan setups.
Cultural Performances: Enjoy live Gandrung dance, a sacred offering dance originally performed to honor Dewi Sri (the goddess of fertility).
Culinary Heritage: Taste unique Osing dishes like pecel pitik (spicy shredded chicken with grated coconut) and segotempong, often served during rituals.
Handicrafts & Ritual Tools: Shop for handmade bamboo crafts, batik, and sacred accessories used in village ceremonies.

For those wanting a deeper immersion, homestays in Kemiren allow travelers to live with Osing families, participate in daily life, and engage in cultural workshops.

Traditional Osing House

Travel Tips for Visiting Kemiren Osing Village

Location: Glagah District, about 10–15 km from Banyuwangi city center
Getting There: Easily reached by car, motorcycle, or local transport from Banyuwangi
Best Time to Visit: May to October (dry season); especially vibrant during cultural festivals (Tumpeng Sewu in August, Ider Bumi in May/June)
Activities: Cultural walks, coffee tasting, culinary exploration, dance and music performances, local rituals
Facilities: Homestays, cultural centers, food stalls, and guided tours available on site

Why Kemiren Belongs on Your Cultural Itinerary

Kemiren Osing Village is more than a tourist stop—it is a portal into the soul of Java. It offers a rare, respectful window into a community that has held tightly to its ancestral roots in the face of modernity. Visitors leave not only with beautiful memories and cultural knowledge, but also with a sense of having touched something timeless—a culture where every gesture, offering, and song carries the weight of centuries.

Whether you’re a heritage traveler, cultural explorer, or simply someone seeking real human connection, Kemiren welcomes you—not as a stranger, but as a witness to a living legacy.