Dieng name derived from Sanskrit language which is
"di" means the place and "hyang" means Gods. Overall Dieng
can be defined as a place of the Gods. While the residents said Dieng derived
from the word "edi" which means beautiful in the Java language, and "aeng"
meaning strange. In other words Dieng is a beautiful place with a lot of
oddities.
Located at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level, Dieng
community should be grateful for the abundance of wealth which conferred upon
their beautiful and exotic land. Candi Arjuna (Arjuna Temple) Complex which is
the oldest Hindu temple in Java is still standing upright in the middle of
whipping time and weather, as the evidence of the cultural heritage of an
extraordinary wealth. Although some parts of the temple began to wear out with
age, the worship of Shiva temple built in 809 AD is still stand sturdy giving
the peaceful feeling in the midst of the natural silence of the mountains.
The cold weather has led to the unique style of dress of its
people. Temperatures during the day ranged between 15-20 degrees Celsius while
in the night between 10 degrees Celsius. In July and August temperatures can
reach 0 degrees Celsius during the day and -10 degrees Celsius at night.
The residents are taking advantage of the cold air to
maximize their farms. Their abundant land converted into fields for growing
various vegetables and fruits. The main commodities are potatoes and cabbage.
Carica, typical papaya of Dieng is turned into delicious meals that always
hunted as typical souvenir of Dieng. Purwaceng, a wild grass that grows, turned
into a nutritious drink to increase male masculinity. Speaking of culinary, a
must try food of Dieng is the delicious Tempeh Kemul and the legendary Mie
Ongklok Wonosobo.
Dieng is an active volcanic region and can be regarded as a
giant volcano. Plains formed from volcanic crater that has died. Crater shape
can be seen obviously from the plain with mountains cluster surrounding. Yet
despite this volcano has been dead for centuries, some volcanic craters are
still active until now. Among these is Kawah Sikidang (Sikidang Crater), which
is always on the move and jumping like a "kidang" or deer.
The uniqueness of the formation process produced an exotic
landscape. Telaga Warna (Colorful Lake) that reflects the color green, blue and
purple and enchanting the beauty of sunrise from the summit of Gunung Sikunir
(Mount Sikunir) is the places that should not be passed just like that.
The land trusted as the place of the God, mystical aura and
myth still believed by many indigenous people of Dieng. One is the phenomenon
of anak gimbal (dreadlocks kids). For some reasons many children in this region
was suddenly turned into dreadlocked. They were born normal, just like the
other children, but then got a sudden high fever and grew dreads on their
heads. Most people believed that children are the decendent of
"pepunden" or ancestral founder of Dieng. They are then have to go
through a cut ritual, after their demand were granted by the parents. When the
parents fail to comply, the dreads will grow again though it has been cut many
times.
