Nyadran Agung Ceremony

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A. Overview

Nyadran Agung is a tradition belonging to Kulon Progo people in order to welcome the month of Ramadan (the fasting moth of Moslem). This ritual is held in month of Syaban (the eighth month of the Arabic Calendar) which coincides with the month of Ruwah (the eighth month of Javanese year). People bring food and gather in a place. They deliver tahlil (praise to God) and prayer before enjoying the food. In addition to that ritual, every family will visit the grave of their ancestors. These are the activities done in Nyadran.

The tradition of Nyadran does not only belong to the people of Kulon Progo Regency. Almost all people in Central Java and East Java know this tradition. This tradition becomes a moment for remembering the ancestors and the pedigree of each family. However, nyadran has its own meaning other than recognizing the family pedigree.

Nyadran is an opportunity to reflect the origin of human; what human beings were created for, what human do in their life, and where human will go after death. The later meaning is deeply felt when people visit the grave of their ancestors. By doing so, people are expected to realize that life is not eternal. There will be a world people going to after death: the hereafter. Therefore people have to realize what they should do to prepare the life after death.

Nyadran Agung in Kulon Progo, as well as in other regions, is a combination between Islamic values with the local belief of Javanese people. According to the history of Islam development in Java, its values were not merely spread by eliminating the existing beliefs of local people. The values were combined with the local tradition instead. Then it became a unique combination between local belief and Islamic values as a new belief of Javanese people.

People of Kulon Progo hold the ritual of Nyadran Agung in Wates Square. This event is not only attended by religious leaders and Moslems, but also by the government officers, including the regent of Kulon Progo.

Massal prayers is held on the yard of regent’s official residence, and people will wait in the square. After the prayers led by the Moslem leader, gunungan (cone-shaped rice with side dishes) will be offered to the people waiting in the square. According to people’s belief, the gunungan and its ubo rampe (accessories) are blessings. Therefore, no wonder if people struggle to get it when the gunungan arrives in the square.

B. Features

Nyadran Agung becomes a special event for Javanese. This tradition has a lot of meanings, not merely a ritual for welcoming the month of Ramadan. It also has social meanings, such as the relationship built along the procession. During Nyadran Agung, people gather in town square. This gathering can be an opportunity for the people to know each other and get closer. This can be a form of local wisdom against individualist culture developing in the community along with modernity.

There are other meanings obtained from analyzing the word nyadran. Nyadran derives from the word sodrun which means chest or heart. Therefore, nyadran means purifying the hearts to welcome Ramadan month. Another meaning comes from the word sudra (ordinary people). Nyadran means menyudra (becoming sudra) or gather with ordinary people. It reminds us that humans are basically equal.

Nyadran develops to include not only massal praying and visiting ancestors grave as well as gathering of local people, but also an opportunities for holding other events such as massal tree planting, art show, etc.

C. Location

Nyadran Agung is held once a year in the Official Residence of Kulon Progo regent and Wates square.

D. Access

To join Nyadran Agung in Kulon Progo Regency, you can go to Wates Square. You can go there by private or public transportations. From Giwangan Bus Station, Yogyakarta, take Yogyakarta-Wates bua for Rp 10,000. Arriving in Wates, you can go straight to the square.

E. Ticket

There is no charge for visitors attending Nyadran Agung.

F. Accommodations and Other Facilities

There are some facilities to be used by visitors during the ritual of Nyadran Agung. Moreover, this ritual is held in the capital of Kulon Progo Regency which surely provides visitors with many public facilities. Near the site of Nyadran Agung, there are several restaurants and food stalls offering various menus appealing to your appetite. Moreover, visitors can stay in hotels around Wates square. Visitors can enjoy the unique culinary menu special in Kulon Progo, such as peyek undur-undur (ant-lion fritter), geblek (snack made from grated cassava), gowor, and tempe benguk (fermented soybean cake made from lentil residue).

Text: Mujibur Rohman
Photo(s): Collections of Jogjatrip.com
Translation: Febrianti Ika Dewi
(Primary data and various sources)

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