Tradisi Sekaten Keraton Yogyakarta

Summary

The Sekaten festival, celebrated annually in Yogyakarta, is a vibrant cultural event held from the 5th to the 12th of Rabiul Awal. The festival features traditional Javanese music, with the ceremonial procession of the Sekaten gamelan instruments from the Keraton to the Masjid Gede. Highlights include the Numplak Waji ceremony and the iconic Grebek Maulud procession, where the community gathers to take part in the celebration. The event showcases the rich heritage and traditions of Yogyakarta, drawing visitors from across the region to witness the grandeur and cultural significance of the festival.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sekaten is an annual traditional celebration held in Yogyakarta from the 5th to the 12th of Rabiul Aal.
• 🎶 The event features a procession of the Kiai Guntur Madu and Kiai Nogologo gamelan instruments from the Keraton (palace) to the Great Mosque.
• 🕛 The Mios Gongso ceremony takes place at midnight, with a procession of gamelan players and palace guards to the mosque.
• 🎶 The gamelan instruments are set up in specific locations at the Great Mosque, with Kiai Guntur Madu placed in Pagongan Kidul and Kiai Nogologo in Pagongan L.
• 📅 The Gongso Sekaten is performed daily from the 6th to the 11th of Rabiul Aal.
• 🍬 The Numplak Waji ceremony marks the beginning of the preparation for the Gunungan Wadon or Gunungan Putri (a ceremonial mountain).
• 🎋 The Numplak Waji ceremony takes place on the 9th of Rabiul Aal at Panti Pareden, Keraton's Kamagangan courtyard, with an official procession led by a princess or Sultan's sister.
• 🌾 The Waji, a large cylindrical shape made of sticky rice, is used as a base to form the Gunungan, which will later be decorated and carried in a procession.
• 💐 The ceremony involves the application of a mixture of dingo (a traditional paste) and bengle, which is used to decorate the Gunungan.
• 🎉 The climax of Sekaten is the Grebek Maulud on the 12th of Rabiul Aal, starting with a parade of Yogyakarta palace soldiers wearing traditional attire.
• 💥 After the Gunungan is placed at the Great Mosque, a Salvo is fired in honor, followed by a prayer before the public is allowed to take pieces of the Gunungan for blessings.

Q & A

What is Sekaten and when is it celebrated?

Sekaten is a traditional celebration held annually in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, from the 5th to the 12th of Rabiul Awal (the 3rd month of the Islamic lunar calendar).

What is the significance of the gamelan in the Sekaten celebration?

The gamelan, including the Kiai Gunturmadu and Kiai Nogologo, plays a central role in the Sekaten celebration. These gamelans are ceremoniously brought from the Keraton (palace) to the Masjid Gede (Grand Mosque) as part of the ritual to mark the beginning of the festivities.

What happens during the Mios Gongso ceremony?

During the Mios Gongso ceremony, the gamelans are taken from their storage in the Keraton to the Bangsal Ponconiti, where they are prepared for transport to the Masjid Gede. This ceremony takes place exactly at midnight and is escorted by palace servants and soldiers.

How is the Sekaten celebration observed throughout the week?

The Sekaten celebration involves daily performances of the gamelan, which are played at the Masjid Gede from the 6th to the 11th of Rabiul Awal. Additionally, the event includes the preparation of ceremonial offerings and various traditional rituals.

What is the purpose of the Numplak Waji ceremony?

The Numplak Waji ceremony, held on the 9th of Rabiul Awal, marks the beginning of the preparation of the Gunungan Wadon (female mountain) or Gunungan Putri (Princess Mountain) for the Grebeg Maulud ceremony. This event involves traditional rituals to prepare the offerings for the community.

What is the significance of the Gunungan in the Sekaten ceremony?

The Gunungan represents offerings, often made in the shape of a mountain, and is central to the Grebeg Maulud ceremony. These Gunungans are displayed at the Masjid Gede and are later distributed to the community after being blessed.

How are the Gunungans prepared for the Grebeg Maulud?

The preparation of the Gunungan involves a series of traditional rituals, including the Numplak Waji ceremony, where a large cylindrical shape of Waji (sweet rice) is prepared and used as a base for the Gunungan. The Gunungan is then decorated and blessed before the Grebeg Maulud procession.

What happens during the Grebeg Maulud procession?

During the Grebeg Maulud procession, which takes place on the 12th of Rabiul Awal, the Gunungan is paraded from the Keraton to the Masjid Gede, where it is blessed by prayers. The community is then allowed to take parts of the Gunungan as a form of blessing.

What role do the prajurit keraton (palace soldiers) play in the Sekaten celebration?

The prajurit keraton play a key role in the Sekaten celebration, particularly in the Grebeg Maulud procession. They escort the Gunungan, perform a salute with gunfire, and ensure the smooth execution of the ceremony.

What are the cultural and social implications of the Sekaten celebration?

The Sekaten celebration is deeply rooted in Javanese culture and tradition, showcasing Yogyakarta's rich heritage. It is a community event that draws visitors from different regions and fosters a sense of unity, while also highlighting the importance of preserving local traditions and customs.