Why is Malam 1 Suro Called the Eid of Supernatural Beings? Here's the Reason
Malam 1 Suro is always synonymous with various myths and mystical stories that thrive in Javanese society. One of the most popular is the belief that Malam 1 Suro is the Eid of supernatural beings. This belief leads many people to reduce outdoor activities, avoid night travel, and perform specific rituals during the Javanese New Year transition.
The term has been passed down through generations and is still frequently discussed today, especially as the month of Suro approaches. Many believe that on this night, supernatural activity increases, ancestral spirits return to visit, or the spiritual world becomes more open than on ordinary days.
Malam 1 Suro marks the turn of the year in the Javanese calendar. For some Javanese communities, this night holds profound significance as it is considered a sacred time. The month of Suro is regarded as sacred in Javanese tradition, leading to Malam 1 Suro often being welcomed with various rituals and spiritual activities aimed at seeking safety, peace, and blessings for the year ahead.
The name Suro itself derives from the word Asyura, referring to the 10th day of Muharram. In Islamic history, the Day of Ashura holds a special status and is linked to several important events, including the martyrdom of Sayyidina Husein bin Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad SAW. This Islamic influence later acculturated with Javanese culture, giving rise to various Suroan traditions still preserved today.
Javanese society views Malam 1 Suro as a sacred time requiring great caution. Consequently, various prohibitions or taboos have developed, believed necessary to avoid misfortune and calamity. Some well-known taboos include bans on holding large celebrations or feasts, speaking harshly, acting carelessly, and engaging in activities deemed inconsistent with an atmosphere of introspection and spiritual struggle (tirakat).
The term ‘Eid of supernatural beings’ frequently arises when people discuss Malam 1 Suro. This label has long been recognised in various folk tales and Javanese beliefs, making Malam 1 Suro synonymous with a mystical atmosphere and matters related to the unseen world. Some Javanese people believe that Malam 1 Suro is a time when spiritual energy is strong and the connection between the human world and the supernatural realm becomes more open than usual.
This belief has spawned various taboos and traditions still observed today. Some people choose to stay at home, reduce outdoor activities, increase prayers, and avoid activities thought to invite misfortune. The belief that Malam 1 Suro is the Eid of supernatural beings also stems from the notion that spirits emerge from their resting places on this night, a belief linked to frequent sightings of spirits during Malam 1 Suro.
Another belief is that on this night, ancestral spirits return to visit their families at home. Additionally, there is a belief that the spirits of people who died as sacrifices for wealth rituals (tumbal pesugihan) are released and granted freedom as a reward for their year-long servitude. These beliefs form the primary basis for calling Malam 1 Suro the Eid of supernatural beings, a long-standing oral tradition in Javanese society.
The mystical aspect of Malam 1 Suro is closely tied to a specific weton in Javanese belief. According to primbon calculations, Malam 1 Suro in the year 1960 Ba’ or 2026 coincides with the weton of Rabu Kliwon. Rabu Kliwon is considered one of the wetons belonging to the tulang wangi group. The term weton tulang wangi refers to certain combinations of birth day and market day believed to possess a strong spiritual aura and greater sensitivity to supernatural matters. In Javanese tradition, people with this weton are often said to have a ‘fragrant scent’ favoured by invisible beings. According to Javanese belief, individuals with a tulang wangi weton must be cautious on Malam 1 Suro as they become targets for the many roaming spirits. Therefore, various taboos such as leaving the house without a clear purpose, speaking carelessly, or visiting places considered spiritually charged are strongly observed.