Indonesia has diverse cultures; one of
them is Yogyakarta culture. Keraton Yogyakarta was established by Sri Sultan
Hamengkubuwono I in 1756; yet it is now being
led by Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, whose name is Bendara Raden Mas Herjuno Darpito. Keraton Yogyakarta is not
just as the residence of Sri Sultan
Hamengkubuwono and his relatives solely, but it is
also as a location of the Javanese
cultural center. In this place, the tourists can learn and see
straightly how Keraton Yogyakarta retains its existence; one
of them is the traditional ceremony. There are three varieties of traditional ceremony in
Keraton Yogyakarta, which are Sekaten, Garebek, and Siraman Pusaka.
First of all, Keraton
Yogyakarta has Sekaten traditional ceremony. Sekaten is derived from
“Syahadatain” word or 2 sentences in Syahadat Islam. For
those who are determined to convert to Islam, they are required to utter the Syahadat that is the obedient statement to Islam religion. Sekaten is also known as the commemoration
of Prophet Muhammad SAW
anniversary. Sekaten
is conducted for 7 days, which is held
on the 5th
of each Mulud
Month
(Rabiul Awal Month
in Hijriah). It is held at Keraton Yogyakarta town square and the
courtyard of the Agung Mosque. The ceremony
begins at night with
Abdi
Dalem procession (punggawa
kraton), someone
who devotes himself to maintain Keraton and Keraton family itself,
along with two sets
of Javanese gamelan, which
are Nogowilogo Kyai and Kyai Gunturmadu. Kyai
Nogowilogo Gamelan is occupied at
the north side of
the Agung Mosque while
Kyai Gunturmadu Gamelan is
occupied at
the south
side. Both sets of gamelan will be played
simultaneously for 7 days. On the 11th of Mulud Month, Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X comes to the Agung Mosque to attend the Sekaten ceremony; moreover,
Kyai Penghulu, someone who
acts as the authority of religion in Keraton Yogyakarta,
reads the history of Prophet
Muhammad SAW. In this case, Yogyakarta people are commonly believed that by
commemorating of Prophet
Muhammad SAW
anniversary, they will be
granted blessing from God and be awarded of youthfulness. Generally, Yogyakarta people chew betel on the 1st day of
Sekaten traditional ceremonies;
therefore, there are many traders who take the advantages by selling
betel.
Second, Keraton Yogyakarta has Garebek traditional ceremony. Garebek
is the highlight of
sekaten traditional
ceremony that is the manifestation of gratitude to God for the prosperity
of the empire
and citizen of
Yogyakarta. Besides Prophet Muhammad SAW anniversary on the 12th of
Mulud Month, Garebek is also conducted on the 1st of Syawal Month,
and on the 10th of Besar Month in Idul Adha. On the contrary,
Garebek is located in Keraton Yogyakarta, Keraton Yogyakarta town square, and
in the courtyard of the Agung Mosque. Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X provides
the alms
in the form of gunungan/pareden,
which is a manifestation of the sacred offerings that has been recited with spell. Gunungan/pareden consists
of 4 types: Gunungan
Kakung, which consists of chickpea and it is combined with the red pepper, eggs,
and ducks. This Gunungan Kakung has conical shape and slightly rounded.
Gunungan Pawohan, which consists of fresh fruit, is placed in the basket of
coconut leaf. Gunungan Estri, which has basket shape, is filled with a string
of flowers and snacks made from rice and glutinous rice. Gunungan
Kutug/Bromo, which has the incense burner that secretes fumes (Kutug). Gunungan
Kutug/Bromo is only provided once in 8 years in Mulud Month. Garebek
needs a
box to carry Gunungan which is
coated with blue fabric. In this rite, Gunungan is grabbed by Yogyakarta people in Agung
Mosque courtyard because they are believed that Gunungan contains magical
powers which can avoid danger and bring blessing.
 |
| Gunungan Kakung |
 |
| Gunungan Pawohan |
 |
| Gunungan Estri |
 |
| Gunungan Kutug/Bromo |
The last,
Keraton Yogyakarta has Siraman Pusaka traditional ceremony. It is a traditional
ceremony that has purpose to purify and to take care of the kingdom heritages
by Keraton Yogyakarta’s relatives and the Abdi Dalem, which are by washing and
wiping the whole parts of them. For instance: spears, dagger or keris, pennants, gamelan, and carriage. Siraman Pusaka is conducted once in a year, on Kliwon
Tuesday or Friday in Suro Month. The location of Siraman Pusaka traditional
ceremony is at Kedhaton and Roro Wijayan complexes,
Keraton Yogyakarta town square, and Yogyakarta kings’ funeral in Imogiri Hill. In
this ceremony, Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X and his relatives
conduct Siraman Pusaka privately on the 1stday of Suro Month. They purify spears which are the sharp pointed weapons
that have long stalk, such as Kanjeng Kyai Ageng Pleret
and Kanjeng Kyai
Ageng Godowedono; moreover, they
also purify daggers or
keris which have the double-edged weapons and sinuous
shape, such as Kanjeng Kyai Ageng Purbaniat, and
Kanjeng Kyai Ageng
Toya Tinabang. On the other hand, the Abdi Dalem conduct Siraman
Pusaka publicly on the 2nd day of Suro Month. They purify carriage,
the wheeled vehicle drawn by a horse and it is used by Sri
Sultan Hamengkubuwono I through III, such as Kanjeng Nyai Jimat. In this ceremony, Siraman Pusaka has
the equipments that are needed
for its traditional ceremony;
they are water, lemon
slices, and duster for
purifying the kingdom heritage. Yogyakarta people are believed that the washing water has
an efficacy to
cure various diseases;
moreover, the water can also be used as a repellent
reinforcement.
We can see that Keraton Yogyakarta has varieties of
traditional ceremony which are Sekaten that commemorates
Prophet Muhammad SAW
anniversary, Garebek is
one of the
manifestation
of gratitude to God for
prosperity of the empire and citizen of Yogyakarta, and Siraman Pusaka that has
purpose to purify and to take care of the kingdom heritage. Those traditional ceremonies
are not common, but
they have high value and meaning in every ritual
procession. Therefore, young generation must preserve
the cultural heritage of traditional ceremony of
Keraton Yogyakarta by visiting the
places and
knowing its history; ultimately, Indonesian
culture
can be maintained the continuity.
Sources
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