Have you ever heard of the tradition of grebeg in Yogyakarta? Or even experienced the excitement when it happened to be in the city known as the Land of the Sultan?
The tradition is usually held to coincide with the Islamic Holidays, initiated by Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono I until now. The initial goal is to spread the teachings of Islam
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Grebeg tradition is identical to the existence of gunungan which is used as a symbol of the prosperity of the Yogyakarta Palace. Gunungan is a large amount of food from various crops that will be distributed to the community. In one year, the Grebeg ceremony is held three times based on the moment of the Islamic calendar.
The tradition in Yogyakarta is never separated from the influence of Islam. As Grebeg Syawal is held to honor the fasting month, Eid al-Fitr, and the night of Lailatur Qadar.
Among the other grebegs, in the month of Shawwal, the palace issued the largest mountain, the gunung kakung. Its shape resembles a true mountain. The skeleton is made of cone-shaped bamboo, and all the sides are decorated with multilevel food.
Grebeg Maulud usually begins with the parade of soldiers from 10 different generations, symbolising the 10 sultans who have reigned over the kingdom. Each group of soldiers will wear their own unique costume, weapon, and flag while parading through the flock of visitors.
The Grebeg Maulud tradition is held every 12th of the month of Maulud (Rabiulawal) which is a ceremony to commemorate the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. Sekaten or the famous night market event is one of a series of shows.
Maebud Grebeg continued with the sounding of two gamelan sekaten instruments for 7 days. The highlight was the reading of the Treatise of the Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad SAW by the Pengulu Keraton.
The big Grebeg is held on the Eid al-Adha Day in the Dhul-Hijjah Month in honor of the Dhul-Hijjah month. The mountains that are distributed to the community are also special mountains.
At the end of the event, the grebeg taken by the community was not just ordinary food. Local people believe it as a way to seek blessings from the Sultan.
At the end of the parade, soldiers will distribute 7 massive piles of vegetables and food (called Gunungan) to the public. Due to the limited amount and overwhelming crowd, only very lucky participants will receive a part of the Gunungan, which also believed to be a sign of good fortune.
The mountainous portion that the community succeeds in achieving will later be stored at home. Remember, the mountains are not to be eaten.
