What's Inside Jogja?

As an Islamic empire, Kraton or Sultanat of Jogjakarta annually held a ceremony to commemorate the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed. The prophet was born at 12th Robi' al-Awwal on Islamic lunar calendar named Hijriah. So, the day of ceremony is based on the Hijriah calendar.

This ceremony called as Grebeg Mulud and popularly known as Sekaten. Both name are heavily influenced by Arabic language, where Mulud (originally Maulud) means 'birthday' and Sekaten basicly is an Arabic word: 'syahadatain'. 'Syahadatain' is a plural mode for 'syahadat' that means 'the words of confession'. In Arabic grammar, plural is simply made by adding 'ain' in the end of the word. A moslem has to believe that Allah is the only Mighty God and Mohammed is the Messenger sent by Allah. Those believes must be said in the words of confession named 'syahadat'.

Fourty days before the ceremony, Kraton square would be crowd where many shows, games and bazaars entertains people during the Pasar Malam Sekaten Festival. And two days before the day-D of the Sekaten, large ceremonial food mounds are painstakingly prepared at the royal palace during the Tumplak Wajik festival.

The Sekaten procession starts from Kraton where these mounds (that called as 'gunungan') are marched by some 'abdi dalem' (royal employees) and guarded by royal soldiers to the main mosque to get blessed and finally distributed to the waiting people. Jogjanese people believes that a piece of the 'gunungan' or food mound could ensure their good fortune and eternal youth as well as guarantee good harvests. These peoples come from all around Jogja, even from outside Jogja such as Magelang, Purworejo, Klaten in Central Java. To get the best place where they could easily reach the 'gunungan' these peoples would come early and sleep in the mosque at the night before the ceremony.

It's an exciting ceremony, so don't miss it! But, be careful. Secure your wallet or jewelry first before joining the peoples because pick-pockets really likes such a crowd like this.

Text by Eko Sudjarwo