Youth Enthusiasm for Mubeng Beteng at Jogja Palace: A Touch of Healing

The Mubeng Beteng tradition at the Yogyakarta Palace, held on the eve of 1 Suro or the Javanese New Year, consistently attracts public attention, including from young people. Their reasons for participating are closely tied to their psychological state. Although the Mubeng Beteng was set to begin at midnight, crowds had already gathered at the Kagungan Dalem Bangsal Pancaniti of the Yogyakarta Palace by 7 p.m. local time, with numbers swelling as the night progressed. This cultural tradition is not only attended by elders but also by the younger generation. Their motivations are very much in tune with current realities, namely as a means of healing. Amalia Nurul, 34, explained that she was not seeking anything supernatural, but rather using the silent walk, or topo bisu, to reflect on events over the past year, to consider what was lacking and what could be improved. She noted that for young people and Gen Z, the trend of healing and meditation aligns with the practice of topo bisu during Mubeng Beteng, describing it as a walking meditation that helps release overthinking. Sekar Jemparing, 26, shared a similar sentiment, stating she needed time to calm down and reflect amidst the fast pace of life. She believes the tradition offers a chance to pause from the chaos, deadlines, and intensity of modern life, and encourages other young people to try it. The Hajad Kawula Dalem Lampah Budaya Mubeng Beteng is held to welcome the Javanese New Year Be 1960. The agenda begins with a macapat recitation of hopeful chants for a better new year at 9 p.m. at the Kagungan Dalem Bangsal Pancaniti, followed by a ceremonial preparation for the participants’ departure between 11 p.m. and 11.50 p.m. at the same location. The event is an initiative of the community, specifically the Paguyuban Abdi Dalem Karaton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat, and is not an official palace event. The chairman of the association explained that the agenda is a community effort to support the palace as a cultural centre, allowing everyone to collectively engage in a cultural walk to unite feelings and reflect together in welcoming a better new year.