Palace farewells Ramadhan with 'Malam Selikuran'

Kartika Bagus C., The Jakarta Post, Surakarta

A week before the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan, the Kraton (palace) Surakarta Hadiningrat staged Hajad Dalem Ingkang Sinuwun Pakoe Buwono (PB) XI. This is a ritual celebration of Malam Selikuran (the 21st night of Ramadhan) dedicated by PB XI, King of the Surakarta Palace in Central Java province. The event itself took place at Sriwedari Park last Thursday.

The tradition is held annually to welcome the end of Ramadhan and also to commemorate the Revelation Day of the Koran, which is observed during the fasting month.

Cultural observer Kalinggo Honggopuro, who is also a palace employee, said the rite had taken place since Wali Songo (Nine religious leaders) spread Islam throughout Java island. It continued through the Mataram Kingdom era to the present day.

The ritual procession began from the Bangsal Sitihinggil (palace square) led by chief officer Dipokusumo, with prayers for the tumpeng offerings (ceremonial dishes of yellow rice served in a cone shape) to be presented to the public. All tumpeng and ceremonial fixtures were taken to Sriwedari Park, about four kilometers from the palace.

The procession was accompanied by hundreds of abdi dalem (palace employees) comprising santi swara (soldiers), hadrah (Islamic music groups) and ting (oil lamp bearers). All guards escorting the tumpeng walked along Jl. Slamet Riyadi.

In accordance with the traditional rite at Sriwedari Park's joglo (Javanese traditional house), the park is also hosting Maleman Sriwedari 2001 (Sriwedari Night Fair). It is a regular event put on by the Surakarta tourism service, which began on Dec. 6 and will end on Dec. 31.

Head of the city tourism service Febria Roekmi Evy said many arts events would take place at Sriwedari Park in the future, with participation by various art groups, including Metta Budaya group, Soerya Soemirat, Sarotama, Ekasanti and others.

These events are expected to bring about a revival of the Sriwedari Night Fair. The fair was last staged in 1997 before the whole city of Surakarta was hit by the rioting that followed former president Soeharto's fall from power in May 1998.