Jamang Ragrag -- The falling Overcoat

As a usual social visit, once or twice a year, the Rawayan made a pilgrimage to a city of Jakarta. They went in a group and of course travelling on foot.

One night, when I was just a small boy, suprised by the gathering of some strange people in front of my house, I asked my father who they were. My father told me that they were alien from the mount of Kendeng, to the South of Banten Highland. This was my first encounter with the Rawayan, the people of Kanekes to whom I call 'Baduy' now.

As usual, they needed a transit night before they continued their travel to the city. That was why they visit us. My father provided them a spacious place outside our house, which we called it 'amben' for the Rawayan to fulfill their duty of sleeping.

The house, being a traditional house of Banten, and like any other Sundanese traditional houses, it has a high floor about half meter high from the ground.

The night was quite. So silent that we could only hear the singing sound from 'Jangkrik' (I do not know it in English.)

The conversation begun.

"Ayah, rek ka mana?" asked my father.

"Kami rek ka kota," answered one of the Rawayan. He might be the leader.

They were just  exchanging hospitality. My father indeed knew where they were heading to and the Rawayan also understood that the question needed not to be asked. But they answered anyway. Then the silent was going on.

After a while, suddenly we heard a 'bump!' sound.

My father asked, "Sawara naon eta?" (What sound was that?)

The Rawayan said, "Naon ja, jamang ragrag" (It was just my overcoat felt down)

Unbelieved, my father then asked "Pan ngagedeblug?" ---This phrase I cannot translate into English.

(How could it make such a bumping sound?)

Innocently the Rawayan replied, "Pan aya aingan!" (I am in it!)