JP\/18\/SUNGKEM<\/p>\n
Sungkeman marks Idul Fitri festivities in Yogyakarta<\/p>\n
Tarko Sudiarno
\nThe Jakarta Post
\nYogyakarta<\/p>\n
The Sungkeman ritual is still preserved in the palaces of
\nYogyakarta and Surakarta, Central Java, where the sultans are
\nbelieved to be the heirs of the ancient Mataram kingdom.<\/p>\n
This ritual allows commoners to show their respect to the
\nsultan, to wish the sultan and court officials a happy Idul
\nFitri, and to ask forgiveness from each other.<\/p>\n
In Yogyakarta, the ceremony is held after the Sholad Ied, or
\nIdul Fitri prayer. At the same time, the Gunungan Grebeg or the
\nfood made for the ceremony, is carried from the palace toward the
\nnorth square.<\/p>\n
The Sungkeman ceremony lasts for two or three days due to the
\nhuge number of people who want to take part in the ritual. This
\nyear it took place in the Bangsal Kencana, a hall in the
\nYogyakarta Palace, from the morning until the evening.<\/p>\n
The word "sungkeman" is derived from "sungkem", meaning to
\nshow respect by bowing on one's hands and knees.<\/p>\n
In the case of the Yogyakarta Palace, the people show their
\nrespect by kissing the right knee of Sultan Hamengku Buwono X,
\nwho is also the governor of Yogyakarta province.<\/p>\n
Participants of the ceremony includes the family members of
\nthe sultan, regents, mayors and courtiers.<\/p>\n
The ritual begins when the sultan leaves Gedong Jene, his
\nofficial residence, and arrives at Bangsal Kencana. After he sits
\nin his chair, the people waiting outside the hall come into the
\nroom and sit on the floor with legs crossed.<\/p>\n
And then the sultan will say: "Maju (Move forward)." It is the
\nonly word said during the ritual.<\/p>\n
One by one, in accordance with their position and rank, the
\npeople start to move forward to honor the sultan. They move while
\nsquatting as they are not allowed to stand up.<\/p>\n
After kissing the sultan's knee, they will then move backward,
\nalso in the squatting position. The people are not allowed to
\nturn their back to the sultan and they should not look directly
\ninto his eyes.<\/p>\n
After all the people get their chance to show their respect
\nand loyalty to the sultan, he leaves the hall without saying a
\nword. Court audiences may leave after the sultan.<\/p>\n
Due to an overwhelming numbers of participants, they are
\nusually lined up in different groups in accordance with position
\nand rank, and also gender.<\/p>\n
All of the people who take part in the ritual must wear
\ntraditional Javanese clothes. The men wear blangkon (Javanese
\nheaddress) while the women, except members of the royal family,
\nwear kemben (a kind of bustier) to cover the upper part of the
\nbody.<\/p>\n
The sultan also wears Javanese clothes and carries a kris.
\nWhat's unique, despite his power, the sultan's clothes cannot be
\ndecorated with any gold or diamonds because they symbolize
\nworldly desires.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jp18sungkem-1447899208",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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