Dedication: The meaning of life for palace servants<\/p>\n
Text and photos by Tarko Sudiarno<\/p>\n
There is perhaps no dedication to compare with the abdi Dalem
\n(palace servants) at Yogyakarta Palace. They commit themselves
\nfor life in their faith in the sultan. For them, their position,
\nmuch lower than a courtier, is a way to seek complete peace.<\/p>\n
They receive Rp 8,000 (9 U.S. cents) to Rp 46,000 of monthly
\nallowance, an amount that inevitably raises the eyebrows of many.
\nThey save the money as they consider it a talisman which will
\nbring them blessings.<\/p>\n
They also work at jobs outside the palace to make ends meet.<\/p>\n
There are currently 1,600 abdi dalem at Yogyakarta Palace and
\n1,000 soldiers guarding the person of the sultan and his
\nproperty.<\/p>\n
On Aug. 19, or 29 Jumadilawal 1934 on the Javanese calendar,
\nYogyakarta Palace marked its 254th anniversary. It was an apt
\nmoment to observe that the backbone of palace life for two
\ncenturies has been the dedication of the abdi dalem. The
\nfollowing pictures capture the abdi dalem's daily activities and
\nthe soul of the palace.<\/p>\n
Photo A, B: Kendil<\/p>\n
A servant pays her respects to a palace heirloom, Kendil Nyai
\nMrica which is in the form of a pot (photo above). The relic is
\nonly brought out for display every eight years.<\/p>\n
A group of male and female servants who are responsible for
\nkitchen duties deliver lunch at noon sharp to Sri Sultan Hamengku
\nBuwono X (photo right) in a procession called Caos Dhahar (meal
\ndelivery). The ceremony goes on even if the sultan is not in
\nresidence.<\/p>\n
Photo C,D,E: Tua<\/p>\n
An old gatekeeper watches all who enter and leave the palace
\ngrounds (photo above). Two elderly servants prepare offerings for
\nthe palace's ancestors (photo below). The offerings consist of
\ndifferent types of flowers and incense which must be kept alight
\nduring the worshipping ceremony.<\/p>\n
Mbah (grandfather) Mitro is invited to the palace whenever a
\nceremony takes place (photo below left). He is considered
\nindispensible in performing his magic to prevent rain.<\/p>",
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