Colorful events mark the arrival of Japanese New Year

Photo A: Reog

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The management of Taman Mini Indonesia Indah in East Jakarta organized a series of events to celebrate the Javanese New Year, which fell on Wednesday. On Tuesday night, the eve of the new year, a procession was held. It was highlighted by various dances, including the reog traditional dance from Ponorogo, East Java.

Photo B/C: Dances

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The dances performed on Tuesday night were not limited to Javanese pieces. A traditional art group from Bengkulu presented a local performance called Tabot during the procession (left photo). Romo Yoso (above right), a respected Javanese senior figure, said a prayer after lighting a fire prior to the procession.

Photo D/E/F: Tumpeng

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Participants of the festivities (above) sit on the floor in front of a tumpeng (rice cone) and other traditional dishes to be carried during the procession. There were 70 rice cones, including a giant one from President Soeharto's residence, presented during the procession. The procession also featured Genjring Buroq, a traditional carnival from Cirebon, West Java, which often performs during religious ceremonies (above right). Among Tuesday night's activities was a wayang (shadow puppet) performance at the Central Java pavilion (right).