Senin, 13 Januari 2014

The Mysterious Keraton Yogyakarta



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.
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