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