Crowds from many parts of Java, Madura and Lampung spent Friday

Crowds from many parts of Java, Madura and Lampung spent Friday
night in Demak, Central Java (above), after fighting for rice
offerings carried by court officials (right) in honor of the nine
wali or sunan who introduced Islam to Java. The annual Grebeg
Besar celebrations are held every Idul Adha Sacrifice Day in
Demak, one of the Islamic courts of ancient Java. A share of the
rice offerings, fought for and stored in their homes, is said to
bring good luck. On Saturday, a procession brought the jamas oil
(below) to clean the sacred belongings of one of the nine wali,
Sunan Kalijogo.

Young and elderly believers wash their faces and drink water from
a nearby river in Demak, Central Java, (above) which is said to
bring good fortune. The rite takes place before the peak of the
traditional Grebeg Besar. On Saturday morning descendants of
Sunan Kalijogo and officials gathered before the washing ceremony
for the belongings of the sunan (right). Sitting in front of
Sunan Kalijogo's grave is the chief of the court officials in
charge of the sacred items, Abdurrahman (left), Demak Regent Col.
Sukarlan (center) and Demak military commander Lt.Col. Salim
Mengga (right). After the washing ceremony, security officials
guard Abdurrahman to keep away the crowds of people wishing to
shake his hand (below). People were not allowed to shake
Abdurrahman's hand until after he reached his official residence.