Ancient city ponders its future sultan

Ancient city ponders its future sultan

Text and photo by Tarko Sudiarno

YOGYAKARTA (JP): Speculation about who will rule the
Yogyakarta Palace after the reign of Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, is
now hot a topic among local residents of Yogyakarta, as the
sovereign has no son, only daughters.

People are wondering whether his eldest daughter Gusti Raden
Ajeng (GRAj) Nurmalitasari, or Gusti Sari as she is commonly
known, will replace her father.

"It depends on Ngarsa Dalem (the Sultan) and the people. If
it's acceptable for them to have a female leader at the palace,
why not?" Sari answered calmly.

The Sultan, who is also governor of the special territory of
Yogyakarta, said his replacement depended on the palace's large
family and members of the community.

"Whether the next sultan will be one of my own heirs or from
outside (my immediate family) is not a problem for me," the
Sultan stressed.

Although he has no son, the Sultan said that he had many
brothers from the hereditary line of Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX.
"One of them, or one of their sons, could assume the throne," he
said.

According to Javanese expert Suryanto Sastroatmojo, the direct
heir of a ruling sultan does not necessarily have to assume the
sovereignty of the Yogyakarta Palace. Sultan Hamengkubuwono VI,
for instance, was the brother of Sultan Hamengkubuwono V.

"Therefore, it is quite possible that one of the Sultan's
brothers could replace him to occupy the next throne," Suryanto
said.

So far, Sari said, it had always been the eldest son of the
ruling sultan, or his brothers, who had been cultivated to take
the throne.

However, in line with the progression of modern society, it
may be necessary in the future for a woman to become the palace's
ruler, she added.

"If Bapak (Father) does want me to take the throne and
considers me capable of doing so, I cannot refuse it can I?" Sari
said, adding that personally, she preferred being an ordinary
person, who could freely go anywhere she liked.

Being a princess, for Sari, has sometimes restricted her
activities. She said that she always became the center of
attention, wherever she went, either on official or unofficial
trips. Constantly being in the spotlight has caused considerable
discomfort.

"I prefer being treated as an ordinary person. Special
treatment only makes me feel uncomfortable," said the graduate of
Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia.

Born on Feb. 24, 1972, Sari soon became aware of her
responsibilities as the Sultan's eldest daughter. She learnt
about traditional culture and customs that her ancestors used to
perform in the community.

"Being the daughter of the Sultan is definitely not an easy
task. I have to maintain the great name of the family," Sari
said.

Sari didn't appear to be exaggerating. Her worlds inside and
outside the palace are indeed completely different. Moreover, she
undertook most of her formal education abroad, in Singapore, the
United States and Australia, making the context of her situation
more complicated.

Yet, Sari said that, currently, her role was less complicated
and could be managed comfortably.

It is easy to recognize the contrasting nature of Sari's life.
On the night of every Kliwon day of the Javanese five-day week,
she has to wear a traditional costume to perform the Caos Dhahar
ritual offering to the palace's sacred weapons and ancestors.
Meanwhile, on another day, one might spot her casually walking
around wearing a t-shirt and jeans.

Her father and mother, Gusti Kanjeng Ratu (GKR) Hemas, have
often asked Sari, as the eldest daughter, to either accompany or
represent them at ceremonial events.

"This is probably the method they have used to educate me
about socializing. They often let me go to social events on my
own or, lately, to business functions," Sari said. Sari, who is
still unmarried, is active in the Anak Bangsa foundation and is
currently planning an exhibition of silkworm products to be held
in Japan later this month.