Jokowi Denies Political Meaning in Buffalo Head Ceremony Gesture

Former Indonesian President Joko Widodo has refuted claims that his action of stepping on a buffalo head during a traditional ceremony in Lampung carried political meaning. He emphasized that the procession is a customary ritual that has been performed for generations.

Jokowi placed his foot on a buffalo head while receiving the traditional title of "Baginda Pemuka Bangsa" from the Lampung Royal Palace on June 27, 2026. Photographs of the ceremony circulated widely on social media, sparking various interpretations.

"It is a traditional ritual. Once again, it is a traditional ritual that has been performed not once or twice, but hundreds of times," Jokowi told reporters at his residence in Solo, Central Java, on July 7, 2026. He suggested that interpreting the ceremony as political was an overreach, urging the public not to frame every event within a political context.

Jokowi described the ceremony as a gesture of respect from the Lampung adat community and the Royal Palace. He expressed his honor at receiving the traditional title. He also highlighted Indonesia's rich cultural diversity, advocating for respect and preservation of local traditions and wisdom.

Conversely, Mohamad Guntur Romliuntu, a politician from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), viewed the act differently. He suggested that stepping on the buffalo head was laden with political symbolism, reflecting Jokowi's ambition for power. Guntur, referencing a study by PDIP's Secretary-General Hasto Kristiyanto, characterized Jokowi's post-PDIP leadership style as a blend of feudalism, populism, and Machiavellianism, driven by an insatiable desire for power.