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.