'Jumenengan': A colorful palace ritual<\/p>\n
Text and photos By Kosasih Derajat<\/p>\n
SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): At the turn of this century, the
\nrole of Java's mighty and powerful kingdom of Mataram has been
\nvanishing. Yet its charismatic influence over Javanese society
\nstill flourishes.<\/p>\n
Every royal occasion, no matter how symbolical, is still
\nworth reviewing and is still capable of drawing keen attention,
\nboth from the Javanese public as well as outsiders.<\/p>\n
For the Surakarta Hadiningrat Sultanate, which came into being
\nafter the powerful Mataram kingdom was separated into two
\nSultanates -- the Surakarta and Ngayogyakarta -- in l755, all the
\nlavish and sacred ceremonies are currently aimed at preserving
\nthe rich Javanese culture.<\/p>\n
One of the Sultanate's most significant ceremony is Jumenengan
\n(coronation anniversary).<\/p>\n
It is interesting to view the annual Jumenengan of the present
\nSinuwun (Sultan) Pakubuwono XII, held early this month by the
\nSurakarta Hadiningrat Court.<\/p>\n
The ceremony, which took place on Jan.4, commemorated the 51st
\nJumenengan of Pakubuwono XII as well as his 72nd birthday,
\naccording to the Javanese lunar calendar.<\/p>\n
There were various rituals marking this important event. The
\nmost interesting was when the Sinuwun knighted a number of people
\nwho deserve noble status. The people usually come from the Royal
\ncourt's inner circle. But this year the Sinuwun practiced a
\ncross-cultural endeavor as he gave noble status to an 'outsider.'<\/p>\n
Along with 82 royal members, Pakubuwuno XII presented the
\nhonorable noble title Kanjeng Raden Haryo to Haji Muchtar Byna
\nDatuk Bagindo Majolelo, the newly-elected traditional and
\nspiritual supreme chief of the Koto Clan of Minangkabau, West
\nSumatra's matrilineal ethnic community.<\/p>\n
Why Datuk Bagindo?<\/p>\n
\"A Royal Court is the center of Javanese culture. It is a
\nvaluable asset that should be preserved. For the Minangkabau
\npeople, tradition as well as culture play an important part in
\ntheir lives. By respecting and learning each other's traditions,
\nwe can come closer to the so-called national culture,\"
\nPakubuwono XII told the press shortly after the ceremony.<\/p>\n
\"The role of the palace is more of a preservation of the long
\nhistory of the Javanese royal court, rather than a ruling
\ngovernment,\" the Sinuwun explained.<\/p>\n
Cultural Spokesman of the Palace KRMH Yosodipuro told The
\nJakarta Post the title was given to Muchtar Byna for his efforts
\nto promote and to preserve Minangkabau's culture.<\/p>\n
He said that Muchtar Byna is also the good friend of
\nPakubuwono XII. Besides which, Byna's present wife, Raden Ayu
\nNoermari Rachmani, is of Surakarta royal descent, explained the
\nprince.<\/p>\n
Muchtar Byna is not the first non-Javanese to be granted noble
\nstatus by the Palace. The Kanjeng Raden Tumenggung title, the
\nhighest rank of the palace's executive, was previously awarded to
\nSinambela from North Sumatra and Sidharta from West Sumatra.
\nKanjeng Raden Haryo is the highest rank of the palace given to a
\nperson considered as a royal member family.<\/p>\n
Ceremony<\/p>\n
The Jumenengan ceremony started after the presentation of the
\ntitles.<\/p>\n
About a thousand guests, including foreign diplomats, crowded
\nthe Palace's main hall, Sasono Sewoko.<\/p>\n
The six-hour ceremony started at 10 a.m., when the Sultanate's
\nprocession entered the Sasono Sewoko. The Royal Doropati brigade,
\ndressed in rich traditional Royal court uniforms, led the
\nprocession.<\/p>\n
Sinuwun Pakubuwono XII, dressed in parang (the formal, royal
\nbatik, combined with red-velvet jacket) and a black royal kuluk
\n(hat), appeared in the hall, escorted by young girls and old
\nwomen. He walked to his Sultanate throne to open the ceremony.<\/p>\n
The ceremony reached its peak when nine young women dancers
\nperformed the Royal Bedoyo Ketawang sacred dance. The Bedoyo is
\nthe most refined and sublime dance found on the island of Java.
\nThe original Bedoyo, called Bedoyo Semang, was created in the
\n17th century by Mataram's most important king, Sultan Agung
\nAnyokrokusumo. But almost every Sultan of Mataram contributed to
\nthe repertoire by improving and creating new versions.<\/p>\n
Despite its symbolical meaning for present times, the
\nJumenengan ceremony is important proof to the Javanese that its
\nrich heritage deserves to be continued.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jumenengan-a-colorful-palace-ritual-1447893297",
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