“Apa anak cerik ngemu getih?” What is a child holding blood in his/her mouth?

This is one of Balinese simile in the form of a question which is taught for elementary students named Cecimpedan. Actually, Cecimpedan is only a game for Balinese children. Usually, several questions of Cecimpedan are often sung by a group of children then another group answers them quickly.

However, this article will not discuss about Cecimpedan but more on the answer of the Cecimpedan above. The answer for that cecimpedan is not a child who gets hurt in his/her mouth; Balinese children will answer it with Klepon. So, what is Klepon ? why is Klepon metaphorically assumed to be equivalent with a child holding blood in his/her mouth ?

Klepon is one of Balinese traditional snacks. Its shape is like marble. It is usually lush green in color but some Klepon makers make some variation on Klepon’s color. A new variant of Klepon is Black Klepon. Klepon has smooth and soft structure with sweet and rich taste. Klepon is one of favorite Balinese traditional snacks because its taste very good.

Klepon is made of sticky rice flour. It is lush green color is produced by adding Suji leaves into the dough. After, the dough is formed into small balls as big as marble, a little of sliced brown sugar is filled into each small ball. Subsequently, those ‘marbles’ are boiled. The boiling process not only cooked the dough but also liquefy the slices of brown sugar. After few minutes of boiling, Klepon is ready to be served with grated coconut on it.

Serving Klepon is serving a surprise. When you bite Klepon then liquid coconut sugar will be spurt out in your mouth. It is like you got something which you do not expect. Don’t try to bite it using your incisor with opened lips because the “blood” will spurt out and may make your clothes dirty.

Anak cerik ngemu getih (a child holding blood in his/her mouth) is very appropriate to describe this traditional snacks since Klepon keep the red liquid brown sugar in it. Bite it and be surprised!!!!!!

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