Cilegon, CCN – The residents of Cilegon and Serang came together to commemorate the historic event of Geger Cilegon in 1888 by conducting a pilgrimage to the village of Sumur, Pandeglang. Geger Cilegon is one of the significant events in Banten and the Nusantara region that deserves to be immortalized in history. On July 9, 1888, Banten, led by the determined kyai (Islamic scholars) of Cilegon, successfully freed itself from Dutch colonial rule. The Cilegon fighters were led by Tubagus Ismail and Kyai Wasyid.
The war raged for several days, during which the Cilegon forces, under the leadership of Kyai Wasyid and Tubagus Ismail, were cornered and eventually fled to Sumur, Pandeglang. Their aim was to cross over to Lampung to continue their fight for independence.
On July 30, 1888, a fierce battle took place, resulting in the death of Kyai Wasyid and Tubagus Ismail, along with other Cilegon fighters, in the confrontation with the Dutch expedition forces. The Dutch took the bodies of 12 fallen Cilegon fighters back to Cilegon.
Bambang Irawan, one of the advocates of the pilgrimage, explained that the commemoration of Napak Tilas, held on July 30, 2023, aims to honor the struggle of the ancestors and inspire the younger generations of Cilegon and Banten. In Sumur, the Cilegon forces were besieged from both land and sea. It was in this place that the martyrs of Geger Cilegon 1888 fell in a fierce battle against the Dutch expedition forces.
Some of the names of the martyrs who died at that time were Haji Wasyid (Beji), H. Tubagus Ismail (Gulacir), H. Abdulgani (Arjawinangun), H. Abdulgani (Beji), H. Khatab (Sempu), H. Jaya (Citangkil), H. Kasan (Sempu), H. Mohamad Ali (Kubangwatu), H. Rameli (Gulacir), H. Ratib (Kubangwatu), H. Tohar (Mamengger), and H. Usman (Tunggak). In addition to these names, there were other martyrs who fell at that time, including Haji Jafar, Haji Arja, Haji Saban, Akhmad, Yahya, and Saliman.
It is hoped that Napak Tilas can become an annual “Touring” event from Cilegon to Sumur, with support from various groups. This idea includes plans to build a monument as a symbol of the struggle, as well as developing a route from Cilegon to the Cisiih river mouth as an annual “Touring” activity for various communities. This is a concrete manifestation of the last battle’s pilgrimage.
Asep Sofwatullah, Chairman of the Yayasan KH. Wasyid (KH. Wasyid Foundation), stated that Napak Tilas can be developed as Marine Tourism, Religious Tourism, and Heritage Tourism. It can also contribute to improving the local economy and promoting national tourism in the Southern Banten region.
Through one of the historical tours, we are reminded to always appreciate the independence achieved through the sacrifice of our heroes. We are also reminded to maintain unity and respect the diversity of ethnicity, religion, and culture in Indonesia.
Through Napak Tilas, we are reminded of the values of heroism, unwavering spirit, and love for the homeland. Napak Tilas is a form of tribute to the past and a source of inspiration for the spirit of heroism in the future. It is hoped that through the commemoration of Geger Cilegon with Napak Tilas, the Banten Provincial Government will build a Monument of Struggle for the Ulama of Banten in Sumur as a further tribute to the heroes. (Red)
