Tourists observe Javanese New Year

Tourists observe Javanese New Year

YOGYAKARTA: Some 7,000 local tourists from Sleman regency packed Jl. Yogya-Godean in Guyangan village on Thursday evening to watch a ceremony locally known as Suran Mbah Demang held by local residents.

The ceremony, which began with the distribution of rice and other dishes wrapped in banana leaves to visitors, reached its climax at midnight when the close relatives of Mbah Demang, a former revered village elder, began the face-washing ceremony using the water from the well of Tiban.

Many local residents drank the water believing it brings good luck and cures many ailments and paraded from Joglo Siswadiharjo to the grave of the elder.

Yulianto Dwiwasito, head of the local tourist office said that the ceremony was held in commemoration of Ki Demang Cokrodikromo, a villager known for his charity, austerity and altruism.--Antara