Dedication: The meaning of life for palace servants
Dedication: The meaning of life for palace servants
Text and photos by Tarko Sudiarno
There is perhaps no dedication to compare with the abdi Dalem
(palace servants) at Yogyakarta Palace. They commit themselves
for life in their faith in the sultan. For them, their position,
much lower than a courtier, is a way to seek complete peace.
They receive Rp 8,000 (9 U.S. cents) to Rp 46,000 of monthly
allowance, an amount that inevitably raises the eyebrows of many.
They save the money as they consider it a talisman which will
bring them blessings.
They also work at jobs outside the palace to make ends meet.
There are currently 1,600 abdi dalem at Yogyakarta Palace and
1,000 soldiers guarding the person of the sultan and his
property.
On Aug. 19, or 29 Jumadilawal 1934 on the Javanese calendar,
Yogyakarta Palace marked its 254th anniversary. It was an apt
moment to observe that the backbone of palace life for two
centuries has been the dedication of the abdi dalem. The
following pictures capture the abdi dalem's daily activities and
the soul of the palace.
Photo A, B: Kendil
A servant pays her respects to a palace heirloom, Kendil Nyai
Mrica which is in the form of a pot (photo above). The relic is
only brought out for display every eight years.
A group of male and female servants who are responsible for
kitchen duties deliver lunch at noon sharp to Sri Sultan Hamengku
Buwono X (photo right) in a procession called Caos Dhahar (meal
delivery). The ceremony goes on even if the sultan is not in
residence.
Photo C,D,E: Tua
An old gatekeeper watches all who enter and leave the palace
grounds (photo above). Two elderly servants prepare offerings for
the palace's ancestors (photo below). The offerings consist of
different types of flowers and incense which must be kept alight
during the worshipping ceremony.
Mbah (grandfather) Mitro is invited to the palace whenever a
ceremony takes place (photo below left). He is considered
indispensible in performing his magic to prevent rain.