Why is Suro the First Month in the Javanese Calendar? Here is the History

Suro is a prominent month in Javanese tradition. Its presence is always synonymous with various rituals, spiritual retreats, and the Javanese New Year commemoration, which is still preserved in several regions. Many people also consider the month of Suro to be sacred and hallowed. The establishment of Suro as the beginning of the Javanese year cannot be separated from the role of Sultan Agung in formulating the Javanese calendar in the 17th century. This calendar is the result of a blend between the Islamic dating system and pre-existing Javanese traditions. Suro is the first month in the Javanese dating system, marking the turn of the year or the Javanese New Year. The Javanese calendar consists of 12 months: Suro, Sapar, Mulud, Rabingulakir, Jumadilawal, Jumadilakir, Rajab, Ruwah, Pasa, Sawal, Hapir, and Besar. The number of days in each month is 30 for Suro, and alternates between 29 and 30 days for the subsequent months, ending with Besar at 29 days. Suro is viewed as a sacred or hallowed month, particularly by Javanese people who still firmly uphold ancestral traditions. This month is considered an appropriate moment for self-introspection, drawing closer to God, and seeking safety and blessings for the year ahead. Traditionally, Suro is a decisive month for the journey of life; therefore, people believe that during this month, one must leave behind worldly celebrations to focus on spiritual unity and devotion to God. The Javanese calendar currently in use is the result of a reform of the dating system carried out by the Mataram Sultan, Sultan Agung. The Javanese calendar was created in 1633 AD as a fusion of the Hijri calendar used by Muslims and the Saka calendar, which had long been used by Javanese society. The formation of the Javanese calendar was motivated by Sultan Agung’s desire to unify Javanese society, which at the time consisted of devout Muslims and Kejawen adherents. By combining elements from both dating systems, it was hoped that a calendar acceptable to all levels of society would be created. Before Islam flourished in Java, the people used the Saka calendar, which was based on the solar cycle. After Islam entered and spread, a need arose to adjust the dating system with Islamic tradition, which uses the lunar cycle. From this, the Javanese calendar was born, merging local cultural elements with Islamic tradition. One of the main characteristics of the Javanese calendar is the use of a lunar calculation system like the Hijri calendar, while maintaining the year numbering from the Saka calendar. Additionally, several month names were adapted to be closer to Javanese pronunciation. For instance, Muharam became Suro, Safar became Sapar, Ramadan became Pasa, and Dzulkaidah became Dulkangidah. The Javanese calendar also features a market day system still used in various Javanese traditions, consisting of Legi, Pahing, Pon, Wage, and Kliwon. This system was combined with the seven-day week to create the widely known concept of ‘weton’. The Javanese calendar also recognises a cycle of year names that repeats every eight years, known as a ‘windu’, with the sequence: Alip, Ehe, Jimawal, Je, Dal, Ba’, Wawu, and Jimakir. The Javanese calendar composed by Sultan Agung was announced and began to take effect on 8 July 1633 AD, which coincided with 1 Muharam 1043 H. At that time, the new dating commenced with the date 1 Suro 1555 Javanese. Since then, the Javanese calendar became the official dating system in the Mataram Sultanate and continues to be used by Javanese society. Suro was designated as the first month because the Javanese calendar system composed by Sultan Agung adopted the Hijri calendar system. In the Islamic calendar, the first month is Muharam; when the Islamic Javanese calendar was formed, Muharam was adapted into Suro and placed as the start of the year in the Javanese dating system. The name Suro originates from the term Asyura, the 10th day of Muharam, which holds a special position in Islamic tradition. Javanese people were more familiar with the term Asyura or Sura than Muharam, so the first month became known as Suro.