Palace farewells Ramadhan with 'Malam Selikuran'

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.