Have you ever wondered what kind of tradition is in Central Java and its explanation? Central Java is one of the provinces in Indonesia that is located in the middle of Java Island. The province is famous for with the wealthiest culture many years ago.
Tradition in Central Java and its explanation commonly exist to make the easier way for tourists to understand the tradition. Most of them can be strange for some tourists. Having an explanation of them make tourist easily explore the province.
If you are wondering what kind of traditions are in Central Java and their explanation, here we have some of them on the list below. Let’s check them out!
1. Wetonan
Wetonan is one of the traditions in Central Java that is famous among villagers. The tradition still exists now, even with the modernization developed in most districts in Central Java.
Wetonan represents the way locals celebrate the day of their birth. In Javanese culture, the day of childbirth brings specific meaning for the baby, including their character.
Wetonan day is following the Pasaran Day in Central Java tradition. You will find unique days such as Sabtu Legi, Juma’t Kliwon, Rabu Pahing, and more.
2. Sadranan
Sadranan is one of the traditions in Central Java that commonly happen before Ramadan comes. The tradition means welcoming the holy month, and they are ready to fight to seek good things in Ramadan.
Sadranan is commonly held by locals as they are gathered in one place. It can be in front of the mosque, the bigger hall, or an open space near the cemetery area in the village. Locals will bring a lot of food and eat them together after making a prayer.
Before it happens, Sadranan starts with locals visiting their ancestors’ tombs. The chief or the elder will bring the people to make prayer to god.
3. Syawalan
Syawalan is one of the traditions in Central Java that commonly happen after Ramadan ends. The tradition represents the locals that are ready to welcome New Year. As Ramadan ends, they hope another year will be better than before.
Syawalan is commonly held by locals by gathering some harvest and traditional snacks. All of them were built in a mountain shape and brought in Grebeg Syawal. In Solo, this kind of tradition becomes the most popular one in Central Java.
Before following Grebeg Syawal, Syawalan starts with locals meeting together and forgiving each other. It means that they are ready to face the year ahead with no sins, among others.
4. Ruwatan
Ruwatan is one of the traditions in Central Java that is held for some purpose. This kind of tradition commonly involves the oldest shaman, which leads the ritual for the people who will be Ruwat.
Ruwatan represents purifying the heart and soul. Most Javanese believe that a human’s heart and soul can be infected by bad things, including black magic. Ruwatan is held to avoid these things happening.
Ruwatan for Javanese is believed as a ritual to help them survive facing a hard life. It can mean that the ritual is held to avoid bad things as well.
5. Popokan
Popokan is one of the traditions in Central Java that is purposedly held to avoid bad things. Locals believe that the tradition used to start when the tiger attacked the village. Local villagers strike the tiger using the mud from the rice field.
Nowadays, Popokan is held to represent the grateful for a successful harvest and good life. The tradition is pretty fun to follow, in which people will be throwing mud at one another in the rice field.
Locals believe when they get attacked by the mud, they will have a good life in the year ahead.
6. Tingkeban
Tingkeban is one of the traditions in Central Java that is commonly held for pregnant women. When she reaches the seven months of pregnancy, the tradition is held.
Tingkeban represents the grateful life of pregnancy. During the tradition, the family will make a wish about the successful giving birth to deliver a healthy baby.
Tingkeban also means avoiding bad things during pregnancy. Not surprisingly most pregnant women in Central Java practice this tradition.
7. Brobosan
Brobosan is one of the traditions in Central Java that commonly happen during the funeral. This tradition starts with the family that mourns their relative’s death.
Some people will help to lift the coffin, and the family walk under the coffin in a crossing way. It starts from the right side, then moves into the left side, then back to the right again.
The family needs to repeat the pattern of crossing walks three times. There are some offerings around the coffin to complete the tradition.
8. Tedak Siten ceremony
Tedak Siten ceremony is one of the traditions in Central Java that commonly happen for the new baby born. When the baby reaches the age of seven months, the ceremony will be held.
Tedak Siten ceremony represents the way the new baby is born acknowledging the typical of lands. During the ceremony, the baby will walk by the parents over seven colorful Jadah.
After that, the baby leads to step the sugar cane ladder. It represents that the baby will be having a good life, such as Arjuna, one of the good characters from Ramayana history.
Tedak Siten ceremony needs to be followed by the new baby born in eight steps. Most of them hopefully bring the lucky things for the baby’s life ahead.
All of those traditions in Central Java and their explanation above are commonly held for good things. Most of them represent a grateful life and manage to avoid bad things in life.
