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Yogyakarta is famous for the numerous festivals and ceremonies dotting the
Indonesian calendar. Labuhan Ceremony among the other festivals is a
very important festival and the word is derived from Labuh meaning to throw
away. The Labuhan ceremony is a very auspicious ceremony and is actually a ritual
meant to commemorate the long relation between the Sultan of Yogyakarta and
the Goddess of the South Sea, Kanjeng Ratu Kidul. The people of Yogyakarta also
go on to see other Labuhan ceremonies being celebrated. These events are celebrated
at Kraton and other places like Mt.Merapi, Mt. Lawu.
Details of the Labuhan Ceremony:
The Labuhan Ceremony is held one day the Commemoration of the Sultan's coronation.
The Labuhan Ceremony is held on the 30th of Javanese month. Particularities
of Labuhan Ceremony: The event is considered to be a very important festival
in the Yogyakarta calendar. The offering is very important ritual and the offering
is made to Kangjeng Ratu Kidul is considered to be a very important Goddess
in the Yogyakarta myths and legends. It is believed that she had promised to
guard the Senopati and the Mataram Kingdom in their troubled times. Thus the
bond got strengthened between the two Sultans simply because of this ritual.
The ceremony involves the following rituals:
- 2 cloths as lower garments are offered.
- 1 Green breast cloth in Gadung design.
- 1 breast cloth with motif bangun Tulak.
- 1 cup of perfume
- 1 packet of incense.
- Many other such interesting offerings are also made to the Goddess.
The ceremony along with the offerings also sees some special mantras being
pronounced. The atmosphere is very mystical and somber. The ceremony sees many
people flocking here to witness the rituals being performed and the ceremony
is considered to be very traditional. The people wait for the ceremony to begin
in the morning. In the evening there is a preparation followed by a prayer and
around 4 o clock in the morning. The offerings are an important part of the
event and the offerings seem to resemble the offerings made in the South Sea.
The Labuhan Ceremony is thus a very important festival.
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