Yogyakarta's courtiers dedicate lives to serving sultans<\/p>\n
By Ahmad Solikhan<\/p>\n
YOGYAKARTA (JP): Old men in traditional Javanese outfits,
\ncomplete with blangkon (headdress) and carrying a kris on their
\nback were observed hurriedly entering the gate of the keraton
\n(palace).<\/p>\n
It was almost 8 a.m., the time when foreign and domestic
\ntourists would start entering the courtyard to gain admission
\ntickets to the court museum. In this place, historical objects
\nleft by the Mataram kingdom are neatly arranged. Each room in the
\nmuseum is guarded by abdi dalem (court servants) who are
\navailable to impart information to visitors. The court building
\nshows its age but it is well maintained. Fragrant shady trees
\ngrow in the yard. Songs presented by pesinden (women singers),
\nwhich are accompanied by a Javanese melody, seem to hypnotize
\nvisitors as they enter this world of the past.<\/p>\n
The Yogyakarta Sultanate court on 14,000-square meters of land
\ncontinues to develop Javanese cultural traditions. It is
\nsupported by some 1,500 abdi dalem, including 86 women, who work
\nin 16 different departments, from keraton government affairs and
\nritual and funeral affairs to public communication and tourism
\nmatters.<\/p>\n
According to KRT Condrodipuro, 84, a court official, the
\nmajority of the abdi dalem come from Yogyakarta and Central Java.
\nThey are aged 30 years and over and have various professions.
\nThey receive a kekucah (payment) of between Rp 3,500 and Rp
\n40,000 a month. The small salary does not deter the abdi dalem
\nfrom accepting the gratuity with thanks. The protracted economic
\ncrisis does not lead them to protest or demonstrate in demand for
\na raise. Even without a salary, they continue to be loyal and
\nresigned to perform their duty well.<\/p>\n
To be an abdi dalem, one has to be between 17 and 40 years
\nold, except for persons with certain skills, such as experts on
\nJavanese literature, wayang (shadow play) and dance.<\/p>\n
It is not easy to become an abdi dalem. Prior to entering the
\nservice, candidates must be able to show good conduct in their
\nlife and their etiquette. After a minimum six month period,
\nhaving fulfilled the criteria, they are entitled to become jajar
\n(the lowest among keraton employees). They then continue their
\ntraining and receive a monthly payment of Rp 3,500.<\/p>\n
"The level of education is not important, but skill in the
\ncultural field is of the essence," said Condrodipuro who has
\nserved for 60 years.<\/p>\n
Four years after entering the service, employees can obtain
\nthe title of bekel enom (the first rank). The abdi dalem can wear
\nthe traditional clothes with belangkon and kris and they receive
\nRp 5,000 a month.<\/p>\n
Not all abdi dalem have to report for duty every day. It
\ndepends on the type of work performed.<\/p>\n
In fact, the court only requires 1,000 abdi dalem. In 1982 it
\ndecided not to recruit any new candidates.<\/p>\n
"Now there are 85 candidates abdi dalem who have not been
\nappointed, even they entered the service in 1981," Condrodipuro
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Abdi dalem who have served more than five years are allowed to
\nmake a request for magersari (land used in connection with their
\nwork) facilities. The application can be made under the condition
\nthat the applicant lacks a house and agricultural land of his
\nown, as well as being without a permanent job. The magersari land
\nusually granted ranges in size from 100 to 200 square meters, or
\nis dependent on the available land owned by the court.<\/p>\n
KGPH Hadiwinoto, third son of Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX,
\nsays an abdi dalem can obtain magersari land under the condition
\nthat if at anytime the court needs the land, the abdi dalem must
\nbe prepared to move with an indemnity not higher than the value
\nof the building on the land. Hadiwinoto says he does not know
\nexactly how much land the keraton owns because the plots are
\nscattered around the Yogyakarta area.<\/p>\n
Raden Riyo Ciptodipuro, 57, says that in his abdi dalem work
\nhe has not had to face any economic obstacles in his household,
\neven though his salary is only Rp 25,000 per month. He has the
\nuse of a gift from Sri Sultan in the form of magersari land
\nmeasuring 200 square meters in Bibis village, Guwosari, Pajangan,
\nBantul.<\/p>\n
"I have turned the vacant lot into agricultural land to feed
\nmy family," Ciptodipuro, a father of three, explains.<\/p>\n
Ciptodipuro says that to dedicate oneself to the work of an
\nabdi dalem is not only about finding worldly enjoyment and
\nobtaining a title. The calling involves a search for spiritual
\npeace and protection by the wahyu (divine revelation) of the
\ncourt.<\/p>\n
Kuwuryantoro, 37, who is still a candidate employee, says the
\nbenefit of the protection given to an abdi dalem cannot be
\nmeasured by material standards. He said that in order to receive
\nthe benefit one's thoughts must be resigned. If this is not the
\ncase, there is no use becoming an abdi dalem. He said one must
\nlive one's life in a resigned way, accept it as it is. "The
\nJavanese philosophy says in life man only drops by to drink, to
\ndie, it is an obligation," Kuwuryantoro says.<\/p>\n
The court also has about 600 soldiers. They are not classified
\nas abdi dalem. They do not receives titles, salaries or magersari
\nland because they are only required to work three times a year.
\nThese occasions are the Grebeg Maulud (festival commemorating the
\nbirth of the Prophet Mohammad), Grebeg Besar (day of sacrifice)
\nand Idul Fitri (festival at the end of the Muslim fasting month).<\/p>",
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