Malem Selikuran Ceremony

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A. Overview

Besides using days of Pahing, Pon, Wage, Kliwon, and Legi as time markers, the Javanese also employ a unique method of counting time to define certain sacred times. Malem Selikuran is an example. Malem is the Javanese word for night and selikuran means twenty first. Malem Selikuran refers to the twenty first night in Ramadan Month, which is believed to coincide with the Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Power.

In the night, the Monarch of Surakarta Hadiningrat and Solo people usually hold a traditional celebration, kirab seribu tumpeng (the procession of a thousand cones of rice), from the front yard of Pagelaran at Surakarta Palace, through Slamet Riyadi Street, and finally to Sriwedari Park, Solo. The tradition is held to celebrate the Laylat al-Qadr, a night which Muslims believe to be better than one thousand months. The number of the rice cones seems to symbolize this belief.

This tradition is also a form of gratification to God the Almighty and of wishes for safety. From cultural point of view, it is a concrete effort to preserve Javanese culture.

The procession starts with the royal troops carrying the keraton’s symbols of pride. Afterwards, behind them are dozens of women wearing colorful kebaya (Javanese traditional clothes for female) and singing Javanese songs which contain Islamic messages. Next are horse carts named Retno Puspo and Retno Juwito that carry the Royal Family.

The last group in the procession is a convoy of the 24 ancak cantoko (places of offerings) which contain one thousand rice cones followed with 21 lanterns that symbolizes the Twenty First Night. At Sriwedari Park, a representative of the Royal Family will symbolically hand the rice cones to the Royal Ulama. After prayers, the cones are given to or, in fact, fought over by people. They call it Ngalap Berkah, or to seek for a blessing. As a cultural occasion, this tradition is always interesting to see.

B. Features

The tradition of Malem Selikuran is a cultural and religious event. It is very interesting to see how cultural and religious elements combine and simultaneously complement each other instead of eroding either one of them. This is an interesting object, particularly for those who are interested in the study of culture and religion.

When the tradition is held, there are symbols involved, like the rice cones and the royal flags. These are unique and attractive, to say the least.

C. Location

Malem selikuran Ceremony is held in three different locations yet connected to one another, namely the Royal Palace of Surakarta, Slamet Riyadi Street, and Sriwedari Park. Those places are situated in Surakarta, Central Java.

D. Access

It is easy to reach the locations. If you want to see the ceremony since the beginning, then you have to go the Royal Palace. However, it is suggested for you to come in the morning because by afternoon, the street will be too crowded. You can go to the Royal Palace by public transportation, like pedicab or minibus, both of which are available at Tirtonadi Bus Station.

E. Ticket

Watching the ceremony is free of charge.

F. Accommodations and Other Facilities

The ceremony features several rituals and art performances. For photography lovers, big cultural events such as this will certainly provide rich objects.

Text: Yusuf Efendi
Photo(s): Collection of Jogjatrip.com
Translation: Reza Daffi
(Primary data and various sources)

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If you are from outside Yogyakarta and want to visit this place by travel agency services,
please contact:

Maharatu Tour and Travel

Jl. Sisingamangaraja No. 27 Yogyakarta.
Telp. +62 274 8373005. Fax. +62 274 379250
Email : maharatu@maharatu.com -maharatu257@yahoo.com
Website : www.maharatu.com

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