Watu Pinawetengan

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Approximately one hour journey by car from the city have Manado. Along the way, from the carpet Kawangkoan visible especially when the field entered the village Pinabetengan, District Tompaso on the slopes of Mount Soputan, the Minahasa Regency. Minahasa houses typical property is approximately neat left-right in the village road that is only enough for two cars meet.

The road to tourism Watu Pinawetengan the asphalt, but a lot of holes and on the road some more damage. Do not wonder if in the narrow asphalt road that will meet with the ox cart to haul grass or with a group of horse home sod. In addition, people around the village is also asked for the friendly way, because after a street sign near Kawangkoan, no other instructions.

After passing through rice fields and gardens paving, the building also looks like a house with a roof and white owl symbol yellow. Red pole and was nine under with a long stone there are 4 meters high and 2 meters.

According to the beliefs surrounding communities, this form of stone, such as the prostrate to God. In addition, the form of stone is also like a map of the island Minahasa. This stone according to the archeologists, used by the ancestor of Minahasa people to negotiate. So, not surprisingly, his name became Watu Pinawetengan which means Place of Stones.

This is in place, around 1000 BC occurred nine sub-ethnic division that includes Minahasa tribe Tontembuan, Tombulu, Tonsea, Tolowur, Tonsawang, pasan, Ponosakan, Bantik and Siao. In addition to the share, the elders tribes have also made this place to deliberate on all the problems faced.

Scratch-scratching on the stone formed and held a variety of patterns as a result of negotiations that tribes. Motifnya have shaped the human image, image tools, such as genitalia of men and women, and leaf motif of the uniform that is not without meaning.

Bongkahan large natural stone that is also save the magical religious. Not infrequently many local and foreign tourists who come to berziarah apply through ritual-a ritual that trust.

According to the interpreter lock Watu Pinawetengan, Ari (48), many foreign tourists who berziarah in this place, usually from the Netherlands, Germany, Australia and the UK. "They usually have here the application of each stone and is used as a means to draw on the Creator," said Ari.

Diakuinya, such as the story of one of the tourists from the Netherlands, Rygeesberg Jacob, who suffered from paralysis and was brought to this place with a stick. Then, after he determined to see this stone, he will run. "Indeed, at that time, he slowly put tongkatnya and run until end tertatih really walk normally," said the man who lived in the building next to the Watu Pinawetengan.

Some strange events, according to him, also frequently occur in this place as the area terlempar out, running your own car, have a hit from behind. "Normally, if events such as the visit does not have a good intention," he explained.

The foreign tourists who want to berziarah and do a certain ritual is usually accompanied by their spiritual teachers. In the community about the location, facing the usual ritual called tonhas or "is the people." But for local tourist tonhas usually bring elders from indigenous people around.

Interpreters key tourism actually recognize many foreign tourists who visit the place to spend the night. Hio have used or burning incense around the stone megalit. "Indeed, there is no restriction would come up to how many hours, it is important to follow the rules here, such as removing the footwear to enter the area and have no intention of evil," said the man who daily work in this field.

Even some people who regularly visit the Watu Pinawetengan, there is a special ritual that is held each January 3 to make a pilgrimage. Meanwhile, the value of history and culture of the thick, each made a July 7 performance art and culture that began in Minahasa terkikis.

This stone can be the milestones that have subetnis in Minahasa and the trust is resident in the middle of the island of Minahasa. "The value history, culture and religiusnya very thick, and this heritage must be fixed and that our task together," said Ari.

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