Sekaten

SEKATEN

Sekaten is a particular ceremony that held every year to memorize the birth of prophet Muhammad. Sekaten is one of the most precious moment in Yogyakarta, which is held in “Maulud Month”, the month when prophet Muhammad was born. It is usually held on date 5-12 in Maulud Month, the third month in moeslem calendar.At about one month before sekaten ceremony is started, there is a kind of “night park” in the North Alun – alun ( a very large park in Yogyakarta). The most important part in Sekaten is called “Grebeg Maulud”, which is held exactly in the 12^th of Maulud Month.

The festival is started at 7.30 in the morning, begins with the parade of ten troopers from “Keraton”. They bring a thing called “Gunungan”. Gunungan is a group of foods like vegetables, peanuts, red chilli, eggs that arranges in a shape like mountain that represents the whealthy and welfare of Mataram (Kingdom in Yogyakarta). The Gunungan is Brought from North side of Keraton and Kemandungan into “Pagelaran” in North Alun–alun. When the Gunungan and the troopers arrived, they are welcomed with “Tembakan Salvo” and Troopers’ shout,. The procession is called “Garebeg”, taken from java’s “Brebeg” or “Gumerebeg”, which means crowded sound made by spectators’s shout.

Gunungan, then brought to “Masjid Agung” to be blessed. After it has blessed, Gunungan then become a sacred thing that many people wants to get it. Because they belived that Gunungan has a supranatural power. That’s why sekaten is called a very religious and sacred ceremony.